Finland backs Montenegro’s EU rapprochement

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä on Tuesday said Finland strongly supports Montenegro’s rapprochement with the EU.

In a meeting with his visiting counterpart of Montenegro, Duško Marković, in Helsinki, Sipilä, however, said reforms are still needed in the rule of law sector, according to an official press release.

“Finland strongly supports Montenegro’s rapprochement with the EU. Once the accession criteria have been met, Montenegro will be welcomed as a new Member State of the European Union. Reforms are still needed in the rule of law sector, for example,” said Sipilä.

The prime ministers discussed bilateral relations, Montenegro’s current position in its EU accession negotiations, and Finland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union which starts from 1 July 2019. During its presidency of the EU Council, Finland will play a significant role in EU enlargement policy, said the Finnish prime minister.

Accession negotiations with Montenegro commenced in 2012, and 31 out of 35 chapters of the negotiations have so far been opened. The people of Montenegro strongly support EU membership.

Sipilä also thanked Montenegro’s constructive role in the efforts to alleviate tensions in the Western Balkans.