The Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević is on an official visit to the Republic of Poland, where she met the Minister of European Affairs, Adam Šlapka.
During her visit, she also had meeting with officials from both chambers of Parliament, the Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Maćiej Żywno, and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the lower house, Paweł Kowal, as well as the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marek Prądny.
The purpose of the visit to Poland was the assumption of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and she discussed with her counterparts the priorities for the next five months, as well as support for the enlargement policy and candidate countries.
“Poland is a friend of Montenegro and we know we have your support on our EU path. Also, we know that you will do everything in your power to close the planned chapters during Poland’s presidency of the EU Council,” said Gorčević.
Minister Gorčević emphasized that Montenegro needs support from all sides for its EU accession, both domestically and from EU partners.
“We will strive to resolve the political crisis in the country through dialogue. We need all parties to be constructive and contribute to Montenegro’s strategic goal – EU membership,” Gorčević pointed out.
She added that there can be no delay in the laws for closing chapters, the budget, laws necessary for the full activation of SEPA membership, and the Growth Plan, as this is not the primary interest of the government but of the citizens of Montenegro.
She discussed with her Polish counterpart Šlapka the priorities and plans of the Polish EU presidency, which began on January 1 and will last for six months.
“The priority of the Polish presidency of the EU Council is security, which is directly related to the enlargement policy. During the presidency, Poland will equally focus on both priorities,” said Minister Šlapka.
Highlighting the importance of the enlargement policy, he also added that Poland would work hard to organize intergovernmental conferences for all candidate countries.
“For Montenegro, we will organize an intergovernmental conference as soon as the country has ready chapters for closure. Poland will close all chapters that Montenegro prepares and submits for closure, and those that are approved by the European Commission. In Poland, you have a sincere friend,” Šlapka said.
He emphasized that Poland believes in the EU enlargement project to preserve the unity of the Union and demonstrate that the EU project is still alive. “From our side, we are ready to do everything we can during the Polish presidency and beyond,” he added.
He also announced that a GAC meeting of European Affairs ministers will be organized in Warsaw where candidate countries will also participate. “Our goal is to involve candidate countries in all topics of our presidency, not just those related to enlargement,” Šlapka emphasized.
Chief Negotiator Predrag Zenović visited the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and met with Director Jarosław Karpowicz and researchers. He also visited the Polish campus of the College of Europe in Warsaw, where he met with Vice-Rector Eva Osniecka-Tamecka and representatives of this prestigious institution.
