President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Darko Pajović is taking part in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament of the Council of Europe member states, which is being held in Strasbourg. Mr Pajović had a series of bilateral meetings with the highest officials of the Council of Europe.

At the meeting with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mr Pedro Agramunt, Mr Pajović thanked for the support to the development of democracy in Montenegro, as well as the observation mission at the upcoming parliamentary elections.  Mr Pajović informed his interlocutor that Montenegro was strongly devoted to pro-European course, and that it would work even stronger on that after the elections.  During the talk, they emphasised the importance of political stability in Montenegro, which has been achieved by signing the Agreement of Fair and Free Elections.

- Conditional support to the Government, which resulted in the agreement between the government and the opposition, has preserved peace and stability in Montenegro, and in the same time we have strongly continued our integration processes, Mr Pajović stressed.

The President of Montenegrin Parliament officially invited the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to visit Montenegro.

During the meeting of the President of the Parliament of Montenegro with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, Mr Pajović informed his interlocutor on the preparation of elections, and obligations which the Parliament has undertaken by signing the agreement between the government and the opposition.  The necessity of preserving of the pro-Western course and prompt membership in NATO are some of the topics which Mr Pajović had initiated at the meeting. Furthermore, they spoke on media situation in Montenegro ahead of the upcoming elections.

In Strasbourg Agora, Mr Pajović was hosted by President of the Venice Commission Mr Gianni Buquicchio. They spoke about previous cooperation and plans for adopting necessary legal acts which would contribute to intensifying integration processes and development of democracy in Montenegro.

Mr Pajović informed his interlocutors on political developments in Montenegro ahead of parliamentary elections, having in mind the fact that opposition for the first time in history of Montenegro enters the election race from the positions of participating in the government and controlling the election process. Speaking about the contribution of the Parliament of Montenegro to holding fair elections, Mr Pajović emphasised the establishment of three committees which were directly related to the control of elections.  The President of the Parliament of Montenegro presented the adoption of a great number of legislative acts, absence of boycott of the work of the Parliament by any political party as well as active participation of all MP groups in the work of the Parliament since he has been leading the Parliament of Montenegro.

In the afternoon part of the Conference, Mr Pajović will have several other bilateral meetings, and he will also take part in the debate on the topic of joint promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.