Akhir 26, 1432 H/March 31, 2011, SPA -- Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday encouraged Montenegro and its western Balkan neighbours in their ambitions to join the EU, in Berlin talks with Montenegro's Prime Minister Igor Luksic, dpa reported. "We support the path of Montenegro into the European Union and NATO," Merkel said, praising the country's stability in a volatile region. "Our future lies in Europe," said Luksic, adding that Montenegro was working hard to meet the seven criteria necessary to begin accession talks with the 27-member bloc. "We believe .. that the process of European integration won't be completed until the countries of the western Balkan are part of it," Luksic added. The leaders also talked about regional politics, and Merkel said they both hoped for a new constitution in BosniaHerzegovina, coupled with fresh economic perspectives for its citizens. "We hope also that there will be constructive talks between Kosovo and Serbia," Merkel added, stressing the role of Montenegro in these negotiations.
