President of the Parliament of Montenegro and President Emeritus of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ranko Krivokapić met today in Brussels with the Chairman of the Belgian Senate Christine Defraigne. 

Krivokapić and Defraigne jointly concluded that friendly relations between the two states are improving through frequent meetings of parliamentarians in various formats.

Krivokapić pointed out that it is important that MPs of the country whose capital city is also the capital of the European Union and NATO are timely informed about the progress of the aspirant countries for membership in both organizations. President Krivokapić pointed out that all the countries of the Western Balkans entered into the process of negotiations with the awareness that their future membership would depend on the success in meeting the obligations of Brussels. Krivokapić and Defraigne noted that the measurable results of Chapters 23 and 24 are the key factors which determine the call for full membership in NATO and further opening the chapters in the negotiations with the EU.

"When you have a long statehood, then you have a maturity of citizens that the state is above all, and with such awareness, strong institutionscan be faster built", concluded President Ranko Krivokapić.

Importance of control role of Parliament for modern democracy is particularly emphasized as well as the obligation of parliamentarians to give, through using the mechanisms of hearing, contribution to the implementation of the adopted legislation. Krivokapić and Defraigne concluded that Belgium will be Montenegro’s friend and ally but also a friendly critic that will make sure Montenegro has the necessary guidelines for the successful continuation of fulfilling the obligations in the negotiation process.