Statement by Željko Šturanović,Prime Minister of Montenegro at the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union

Statement by Željko Šturanović, Prime Minister of Montenegro

Mr. Amado,
Mr. Rehn,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour to be here today to sign on behalf of Montenegro the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union. This is a great day for Montenegro and all its citizens.

Todays signing by the 27 member states of the EU and the European Commission of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Montenegro proves that our European aspirations have been well-founded. It also proves that Montenegro not only geographically and historically belongs in Europe, but that we share and respect the common European heritage and the underlying values of the European Union. And that we are committed to gradually adopt and implement the European acquis. Our European perspective is now, I dare say, reality within reach. When I say this I do not in the least underestimate the scope and the complexity of the work that lies ahead. Indeed, we are conscious that this is the beginning of a demanding process of our European integration , but we stand ready to make all the necessary harmonisations. I believe that our efforts to this end are now well under way.

We understand that European integration is about adopting the EUs values and standards, its way of thinking and of everyday conduct. It is a process aimed at building a stable democracy with strong institutions that guarantee human and minority rights and freedoms, the rule of law and a free market economy, i.e. a process aimed at putting in place a system emulating that of an EU member state a state that strives to achieve its rights and interests respecting the rights and interests of others and of the common good. We in Montenegro do not measure success in terms of how much we are ahead of some countries or lag behind others. What matters is the pace of adopting and implementing European standards and practices in all the segments of the society in order to ensure a better life for all our citizens. We place the quality of the process above the final goal the EU membership, which will come as a vindication for the results achieved. Still, although it is doubtless that we should be held hostage to the standards rather than deadlines, one should bear in mind the need to keep the certainty and credibility of the European perspective for the states of the region.

In this light, too, it is rightly pointed out that European integration is a two-way street. While it is doubtless that we are primarily responsible for an efficient implementation of the SAA, it is also essential that we will conduct this effort in an institutionalised process of partnership with the European Union. Early next year the Government will be adopting a comprehensive National Programme for Montenegros integration into the EU, elaborating in detail the internal agenda and comprising not only adoption and implementation of the acquis, but also other obligations resulting from political, economic, legal and institutional accession criteria. This will provide both a reform coordination mechanism and a mechanism of control of the progress achieved. It is with the same determination and efficiency with which we have negotiated the SAA and largely created the preconditions for its implementation that we are now working hard to build up the capacity for the next phase of our European road. In this context I believe that it is extremely important that our Parliament will soon vote in a new Constitution by, I expect, at least a two-thirds majority. This will be yet another major proof that after restoring independence Montenegro is developing a new political culture and that we are capable of tackling even the most sensitive issues in a democratic fashion and in a European spirit. This instance, too, confirms once again the importance of European perspective. I am convinced that Montenegro will each day increasingly demonstrate to be a positive challenge and a desirable member of the EU. Therefore I hope that I am not being presumptuous if I say that I expect you to support our further ambitions to accelerate Montenegros progress on her European road already next year, when we are planning to apply for EU membership.

And last but not least, I should like to thank you all for your constructive partnership throughout the SAA negotiation process with Montenegro.

Thank you for your attention.