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Liberals: We will insist on the EU’s enlargement policy, Montenegro is the next member state

The delegation of the Liberal Party of Montenegro (LP) – the Vice President Zdravko Soc and the Spokesman Amar Borancic – participated at the LIBSEEN meeting.

At the meeting in Sofia, the LIBSEEN network adopted the Resolution on European Integration of the Western Balkans which represents a new and accelerated policy of democratic reforms and support of the EU to the countries in the region aspiring for membership.

“The Resolution is a basis for creating a new platform of European integration of the Balkan states. It recognises the importance of accelerating reforms and democratisation which is of special importance for both countries of the region and the EU. It will be the only protection against populist policies and the wave of nationalism. This resolution was supported by the delegates of the LP too,” the party communicated.

Baring in mind that the EU is not and could not be interested in isolating the Balkans and leaving it in a gray area between the West and the East, the European liberals will propose such a platform to the European Commission.

Through this resolution, Liberals also expressed their disagreement with the statement of the Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, who announced the suspension of EU enlargement for the next five years.

“This initiative of the Liberals is of particular importance for Montenegro, which is the most serious candidate for membership and will have all negotiating chapters opened by 2017. Therefore, the Liberals will insist, both in Montenegro and in Brussels, on changing the EU’s enlargement policy and its opening and encouraging new members to join it. In that sense, as the next NATO and the EU member state, Montenegro will be absolutely supported by the European liberal family as one of the strongest groups in the Euroean Parliament,” they stressed in the statement.

The Conference was supported by the President of the Liberal International, Juli Minoves, as well as the leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), Sir Graham Watson, and the Vice President of the ALDE, Hans van Baalen, who discussed the new liberal platform of European integration.

The Croatian Foreign Minister, Vesna Pusic, and Liberal MEPs also spoke at the meeting. The LP delegates Soc and Borancic had bilateral meetings with the top level representative of the Liberal International, Emil Kirjas, Mr Van Baalen (ALDE), Mr Roman Jakic, the representative of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, and other representatives of regional and European political organisations.

 

 

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