News

On 10 October, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė met with Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Milan Roćen to discuss bilateral cooperation, Montenegro’s aspirations to join the European Union and NATO, important issues of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the situation in the Western Balkans and issues of regional cooperation.

The Vice-Minister is taking part in the OSCE Mediterranean Conference in Budva, Montenegro.

The meeting of A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė and M.Roćen focused on Lithuania’s support to the European integration goals of the young and active state of Montenegro and readiness to share experience that was accumulated in the area of accession negotiations with the EU.

The Vice-Minister informed M.Roćen about the preparation of Lithuanian institutions and their interest to engage in the implementation of the EU Twinning projects and other instruments of technical assistance in Montenegro.

According to the Lithuanian diplomat, specific action is taken to implement the cooperation protocol that was signed last year by the Lithuanian and Montenegrin Foreign Ministries – an internship for a young Montenegrin diplomat is organized at the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November, offering knowledge in the area of European integration.

A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė welcomed the progress of Montenegro towards the launch of negotiations on the EU membership and called on Montenegro to continue implementing important political and economic reforms.

“We hope that the Council of the European Union will positively evaluate the efforts of Montenegro, but we encourage the country to continue to use the time effectively and to keep responsibly preparing for its accession negotiations,” stressed the Vice-Minister.

Speaking on behalf of Lithuania’s OSCE Chairmanship, A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė stressed the constructive policy of Montenegro with focus on the strengthening of regional cooperation and building friendly neighbourly relations.

The Vice-Minister stressed that the OSCE very much appreciated Montenegro’s efforts and initiatives to address the refugee problem in the Balkan region.

On 23 November 2010, M.Roćen visited Lithuania with the first official visit after the declaration of the country’s Independence in 2006. Lithuania recognized Montenegro’s Independence on 22 June 2006. Diplomatic relations were established on 18 July the same year.