OSCE Chairperson's Special Envoy welcomes Montenegro's determination to continue reforms

PODGORICA, 16 March 2010 - The Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Konstantin Zhigalov, welcomed Montenegro's determination to continue its pro-democratic reforms during a visit to Podgorica today.

"We are encouraged by the progress in Montenegro's reform process," he said. "However, there are some important areas where further work is needed, including the fight against corruption and organized crime."

Zhigalov noted that Montenegro was playing an important role in strengthening stability, security and co-operation in the region and added that the OSCE encouraged the country "to continue in this direction".

In meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Svetozar Marovic, Foreign Minister Milan Rocen and Deputy Parliament Speaker Rifat Rastoder, Zhigalov also discussed the country's reforms.

"The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the host country have developed a strong partner relationship to implement and consolidate the reform process," he said. "The OSCE is ready to continue supporting Montenegro's efforts to increase stability and prosperity."

Zhigalov also briefed meeting participants on the plans of the Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship, including an envisaged informal ministerial meeting to take place this summer in Almaty.

"This meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss matters including the Corfu Process, the Vienna Document 1999, the OSCE's engagement with Afghanistan and the substance of an OSCE summit," he said.