Montenegro submitted application for EU membership

The Prime Minister of Montenegro presents his country's application for membership to the President of the European Council, M. Sarkozy. In a statement , Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed this step and called it "a historical milestone marking the country's important engagement to common European values and fundamentals".

The application for membership is submitted to the Council, which decides whether to initiate the procedure laid down in the Treaty and ask the Commission to provide its opinion on the application. In the light of the Commission's recommendation, the Council unanimously decides whether to grant candidate country status to the applicant country.

"I welcome the application for EU membership presented by the Prime Minister of Montenegro to the President of the European Council. Today Montenegro has reached a historical milestone marking the country's important engagement to common European values and fundamentals. It is now for the Council to decide on the way ahead. The Commission stands ready to prepare an 'Opinion' about Montenegro's application, should the Council invite us to do so. Montenegro has made important progress on its preparations for the European integration. There is a firm consensus on the question of European integration; the progress with the implementation of the Interim Agreement has been positive, and Montenegro has a constructive and stabilising role in the region.

The European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, including Montenegro, is essential for the stability and the prosperity of the region and for the EU. By making solid progress in economic and political reform and by fulfilling the necessary conditions and requirements, the remaining potential candidates in the Western Balkans should achieve candidate status, according to their own merits, with EU membership as ultimate goal."