EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

Milan Rocen and Edgars Rinkevics. Riga, 31.05.2012. Photo: flickr.com

Montenegro has attained sufficient progress in terms of the rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime, therefore Latvia will support the beginning of the EU and NATO accession talks with Montenegro, said Rinkevics, adding though that Montenegro still had much to do, writes LETA.

"We in Latvia believe that the EU enlargement in the Balkans must continue," said Rinkevics. "We believe that this is the only way to consolidate stability, security, as well as economic well-being in the entire EU," said the minister, adding that Latvia would also support Serbia's accession to the bloc and the beginning of the accession talks with Kosovo.

Regarding Montenegro's membership in NATO, Rinkevics also said: "We are already seeing Montenegro as a qualified candidate for the next expansion round. I would very much like to hope that the next NATO summit will be an enlargement summit."

Rocen said he expected that the EU General Affairs Council would take a decision on launching the EU accession talks with Montenegro at the end of June. The European Commission has already recommended beginning accession talks with Montenegro. The final decision is up to the European Council.

To Montenegro, the date of the beginning of the talks is much more important than the end-date, stressed Rocen, noting that the negotiation process would be an opportunity for Montenegro to carry out reforms and join the bloc when it is ready.

Rinkevics added that Latvia was prepared to share its EU integration experience with Montenegro.

Both ministers said that Latvian-Montenegrin bilateral relations were deemed very good. At the same time, cooperation in tourism, pharmaceuticals, electronics and IT, construction and metalworking is far from being achieved, they agreed.

Rocen today also invited Rinkevics to pay a visit to Montenegro.

Also today, President Andris Berzins met with Rocen at Riga Castle, during which he told the president that Latvia's experience in EU and NATO integration is especially important to Montenegro, LETA was informed by the Presidential Press Service.

During the meeting, the Berzins emphasized that it is important for smaller countries such as Latvia and Montenegro to cooperate with one another, especially taking into account the friendly relations between the countries.

Meanwhile, Rocen emphasized that it is important to learn from Latvia's experience regarding integration into NATO and the European Union. The Latvian president once again confirmed Latvia's openness and readiness to share its knowledge with Montenegro.

The minister also congratulated Latvia on its achievements in overcoming the economic crisis. He also gave Berzins an invitation from the Montenegrin president to visit sometime in the future, which the Latvian president accepted.