President Ranko Krivokapić met in Vienna, where the 14th OSCE PA Winter Meeting took place, with the President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer. President Krivokapić, in his talk with the Austrian President Fischer, emphasized traditionally good relations between Montenegro and the Republic of Austria. During the conversation, the interlocutors emphasized the importance of the European future of our state as well as the states of the Western Balkans.

"Montenegro has a long state tradition and duration, but the young democracy. Austria, which well understands and knows the situation in our region, with its support can make an important contribution to the building of democracy and the maturation of society, so that together we could create new Balkans, which would have its secure future in the European Union", stated, during the meeting, PresidentRanko Krivokapić. 

At the meeting of President Krivokapić and President Fischer, it was also discussed about the important infrastructure projects, which should give a strong impetus to the development and growth of the economy. Projects that were particularly emphasized were the Adriatic-Ionian highway as well as the Trans-Atlantic pipeline (TAP), as the important both for transport connection with Europe and the development of energy resources as a prerequisite for further development of economy.

Interlocutors agreed that the rule of law, strengthening institutions and sustainable economy are priorities, the fulfillment of which represents safe steps towards full membership in the European Union.

President of the Parliament of Montenegro and President Emeritus of the OSCE PA MET in Vienna with the President of the National Council Doris Bures, and on that occasion stressed good cooperation between the two parliaments through specific projects.

Presidents of the two Parliaments Ranko Krivokapic and Doris Bures stressed the importance of parliaments in building democratic capacities, particularly from the standpoint of control and supervisory roles.

"The Government is better if the Parliament is strong in its primary role to create a good legal system and to exercise its supervisory role over the executive power. Parliaments are the source of democracy, and our role is especially important in the integration process to the EU and for the entire social maturation", stated President Krivokapić. 

During the meeting, interlocutors assessed that the project "Democracy Workshops - Barbara Prammer" (where more than 11,000 Montenegrin children were included in the project) is an example of successful cooperation between the parliaments of the two states, which Montenegrin Parliament took from the Austria and now it is financed and implemented by the Parliament itself. The message of the meeting was that in the future, it should be worked on further development and intensification of cooperation between the two parliaments.  

Meeting of the OSCE PA Standing Committee and the joint meeting of three PA Committees were held today in Vienna. Meetings were attended by the OSCE PA President Emeritus Ranko Krivokapić. These bodies dedicated their work to considering the situation in the field of OSCE policies, achieving the goals of freedom, security, democracy and free and fair electoral processes in the OSCE region.

Also, the joint meeting of the three committees was particularly focused on the Ukrainian crisis and finding solutions to calm tensions. "Vienna process" which aims to de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine through parliamentary dialogue, will intensify its work prior to spring meeting.

Winter Meeting of the largest Parliamentary Assembly in the world, which brings together delegations of 57 member states, was a good opportunity for the promotion of Montenegrin foreign policy priorities and interests.

Montenegrin delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE was composed of the President Ranko Krivokapić, Vice President Milutin Simović and MP Goran Danilović.