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On 17 June in Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Igor Lukšić signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Lithuania and Montenegro for cooperation in the field of European integration.

“Lithuania has consistently supported the European Union’s enlargement policy, backs accession talks with Montenegro, seeks to share the experience gained in the negotiations and during the membership period,” Linkevičius said at the meeting with the head of Montenegro’s diplomacy, who came to Vilnius on an official visit.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister informed Lukšić about the preparation of Lithuanian institutions and their interest in participation and implementation of the EU-funded assistance projects in Montenegro. Linkevičius also underlined Montenegro’s progress in accession negotiations, noting that Lithuania’s incoming Presidency was ready to aim at sustainable progress in this area.

“Montenegro’s progress in the accession talks gives credibility to the entire EU enlargement process. We hope that the country will succeed already this half-year to draft action plans for negotiating chapters related to judiciary. This would open the way for the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council to open negotiations on these essential chapters, which will determine further progress in Montenegro’s accession negotiations,” the Minister said.

When speaking about NATO, Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania supported Montenegro’s goal to join the Alliance, and the necessity to raise the awareness of the society about the benefits of membership in this organization. Linkevičius called on the Government of Montenegro to further enhance the rule of law and implement relevant reforms. Montenegro’ progress on the path of European integration depends namely on its compliance with these requirements.

During the visit, Lukšić also held meeting with the First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) Vytautas Gapšys, the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs Gediminas Kirkilas, and Benediktas Juodka, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.