Klaus ratifies Montenegro-EU association agreement

President Václav Klaus has ratified an EU-Montenegro stabilization and association agreement, presidential spokesman Radim Ochvat said on Monday. The agreement is the first step towards EU membership, for which Montenegro formally applied in December 2008. Some current EU members are against the country’s speedy entry into the 27-member bloc. The Czech EU presidency has, however, outlined European Union expansion as one of its priorities. In a recent report on Montenegro, the European Commission criticized the Balkan country for not doing enough to tackle organized crime and corruption, but praised Podgorica’s progress in building democracy.

Author: Rosie Johnston