19 November 2018 - On 19 November 2018, the 15th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2018 under the motto "Economy meets Politics" took place under the Patronage of H.E. Mr. Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of Austria, and an official event of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković spoke during the panel in Vienna, explaining that Montenegro has ambitious plans during Austrian presidency of the Council of the European Union, and these ambitions are based on assessments from the latest EC document.
"As you are aware, Montenegro has the ambition to make progress during the Austrian presidency. We base our optimism on the assessment from the latest EC's document on the rule of law that shows a balanced and thus realistic image of the efforts that Montenegro continuously invests in the implementation of reforms within the negotiation process. I am convinced that Austria and the countries of the European Union will objectively assess our results," Prime Minister Marković said at the Vienna Economic Forum. He also took part in meetings with the Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and EU commissioners Johannes Hahn and Mariya Gabriel.
The Prime Minister thanked Chancellor Kurz and the EU commissioners for the positive and inspiring meetings. He was pleased that he discussed the continuation of important discussions for the region with Commissioner Hahn and Commissioner Gabriel. It was important for Montenegrin representatives to hear Austria's plans during its presidency, but also to present the country’s plans and ambitions.
The host, Federal Chancellor Kurz, told at the press conference that Austria, during its presidency of the Council of the European Union, will focus on three areas: the region's path towards the European Union, the necessary regional cooperation and the resolution of bilateral disputes in the region. Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn emphasised that all Western Balkan countries have a European perspective, although it is not realistic that they all join the Union at the same time.
Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel told Western Balkan leaders that they can count on the EU support and that the EC will continue to invest in talented people in the region. "Digital agenda for the Western Balkans is our objective. It is up to us to continue this process," Commissioner Gabriel noted during the economic forum in Vienna.
The prime ministers of the six Western Balkan countries assessed as particularly important the fact that Austria insists on the enlargement agenda.
Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić thanked the host, Chancellor Kurz, for working on the more integrated region and keeping the EU's policy of enlargement on the European agenda. "Serbia is strongly committed to the EU agenda. On the regional level, the connectivity agenda is a priority for Serbia," Prime Minister Brnabić said.
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Zvizdić said that strengthening of the cooperation with the EU contributes to the further development of the Western Balkans. He especially emphasised the importance of the fact that the EU's door remains open.
Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama said that the region is facing challenges of the cooperation, while Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said that his country has fulfilled all conditions for visa liberalization, including the last condition – border demarcation with Montenegro.
