Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s progress represents an important signal for the Western Balkan and further strengthens the credibility of the EU enlargement policy, it was announced during the meeting between Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic and the delegation of the EU Committee of the Federal Council of Austria.

The delegation, led by Committee chair Bernadette Geieregger, is on an official visit to Montenegro as part of ongoing dialogue and exchange of experiences in the field of European integration.

According to the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA), the visit was an opportunity to discuss the final phase of the accession process and the next steps towards EU membership.

During the meeting special attention was given to the pace of closing negotiation chapters and drafting of Montenegro’s EU Accession Treaty.

“On that occasion, Austria’s continued support for Montenegro’s European path was highlighted, with the assessment that the final steps are the most demanding, but also crucial for the successful conclusion of the negotiations”, the press release said.

Representatives of the Austrian delegation, as MEA stated, said that Montenegro demonstrates consistent commitment to reforms and a clear European orientation.

“The interlocutors agreed that Montenegro’s progress represents an important signal for the Western Balkans and further strengthens the credibility of the EU enlargement policy”, the press release concludes.