Podgorica, (MINA) - Montenegro is a frontrunner in EU integration and is on the right track, said European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, adding that in the final phase the pace must be intensified.

According to the Government’s press release, Brunner met on Thursday with Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Becic, Minister of the Interior Danilo Saranovic and Chief of Police Lazar Scepanovic.

“The interlocutors assessed that the improvement of the security system and the rule of law is one of the key pillars of Montenegro’s European path and reiterated the country’s strong and unequivocal commitment to the EU accession process, through the consistent application of European policies, strengthening regional cooperation and active contribution to the EU’s common security”, the press release said.

Brunner said that Montenegro is a frontrunner in the EU accession process, noting that in the final phase there is always room for additional improvement and that Montenegro needs to intensify the pace. 

“However, the data clearly indicate that you are on a very good and the right track”, Brunner said.

Becic pointed out the great progress Montenegro has achieved on its European path in just a few months.

Saranovic emphasized that the European Commissioner’s visit is a strong confirmation of the EU’s trust in the reform processes that Montenegro is implementing.

According to the press release, together with Saranovic and Scepanovic, Brunner visited Montenegro’s state border, where aerial surveillance of the border with Albania was carried out, followed by a field visit and talks with members of the Border Police and FRONTEX officers.