The results of the conference are reported by the Montenegrin government at http://www.vlada.cg.yu/eng/vijesti.php?akcija=vijesti&id=44373.

This Conference showed that: the countries of the Region define the European Integration process as the strategic framework for the future development of the countries, they gradually assume so-called “ownership of the process“, and the common goal of the all National Programmes for Integration is the same – full membership in the Union, in line with the fulfilment of all accession criteria.

Although the countries of the Region are currently in the different stages of the integration process towards EU, there is, without any doubt, the significant free room for enhancing of the regional cooperation in this process, based on the good practice of the previous enlargement process, and on clearly defined specific interests of each country included.

Montenegro, as the host country of this year’s Conference has proposed Draft Memorandum on Technical Cooperation in the European Integration process.

The aim of the Memorandum is to enhance cooperation models in the Process, through strengthening of the relations in the following areas:

1. Approximation of the national with the European Union legislation, taking into account priorities in that process,
2. Methods and results of the analysis and evaluations of the efficiency in the process of introducing European standards into legislation and economy,
3. Strengthening of the institutional capacities and enhancing of the competency level in the public administration on matters important for accession to the European Union,
4. Translating of the European Union legislation,
5. Establishing of the manners for utilizing of the European financial instruments in best possible way, including IPA, national and regional programs,
6. Informing of the public on European Union accession process,
7. Strengthening of the cooperation between the Governments and Civil Society in European integration process.

The countries of the Region, with signing of this Memorandum, would strengthen following fields of cooperation:

1. Exchange of the information and experiences,
2. Organization of joint activities and events: meetings, conferences, round tables, forums, on which experts and officials of the signatory Parties will take part,
3. Organization of the joint consultations, initiatives and activities in order to achieve as good results as it is possible in the signatory Parties’ countries in the field of European Integration,
4. Advanced trainings through organizing seminars on matters of European Integration, and instigating experts from the Parties to involve into the aforementioned process,
5. Development of joint initiatives,
6. Exchange of public employees in the field of common interest, having in mind available human resources on both sides.

In order to implement this memorandum, joint cooperation Committee will be established, which would meet once a year at least. The members of the Committee will be appointed by the Governments of all countries, and the Commission representatives will be invited as observers. For all above mentioned fields of cooperation, persons responsible for coordination will be delegated by all country institutions involved.

Having in mind common interest of the all countries in Region for the establishing of the closer cooperation in the accelerated process of association and accession to the European Union, all countries participants of the Conference, supported this initiative, expressing their readiness to define final proposal of the Memorandum in direct communication in following months, with aim of its finalization and signing, the next Regional Conference latest.

Having in mind that the Regional Conferences, until now, have been held in Tirana, Skopje, Belgrade, Sarajevo, and this year in Podgorica, the Republic of Croatia expressed their readiness to be the host of the next Regional Conference on European Integration, in October 2008, in Croatia.

Results of the working groups can be found on the Website of the Montenegrin Government.