Montenegro's EU membership crucial for regional stability, says EU Minister Bagis

PODGORICA (A.A) - January 10, 2012 - Turkish Minister for European Union (EU) Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said Tuesday that Montenegro's as well as regional countries' EU membership was crucial for regional stability and the future of Turkey. Speaking at a joint press conference with Montenegro's Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Milan Rocen, Bagis said that he thought his current visit to Montenegro was highly meaningful just a while before Montenegro begins entry negotiations with the EU. The hospitality we have witnessed here showed that, just as in the past, we are still parts of a big structure and will be part of the structure in the EU, Bagis underlined. Turkey supports Montenegro's EU process. You should have no doubts in this regard. Montenegro's EU membership is crucial for regional stability and the future of Turkey, Bagis said. Milan Rocen, in his part, said that Bagis's visit to Montenegro was important for them. With Bagis's visit, we have opened a new page in relations. We thank Mr. Bagis for expressing that Turkey was ready to share its experiences with Montenegro in the EU process, Rocen said. We have a common history of centuries and a European future, Rocen also said.