In conformity with its commitment to international and regional peace and stability, and to the development of good neighbourly relations, Montenegro shall actively promote regional cooperation. The Community assistance programmes may support projects having a regional or cross-border dimension through its technical assistance programmes.
Whenever Montenegro foresees to reinforce its cooperation with one of the countries mentioned in Articles 15, 16 and 17, it shall inform and consult the Community and its Member States according to the provisions laid down in Title X.
Montenegro shall implement fully the existing bilateral Agreements negotiated pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Facilitation and Liberalisation signed in Brussels on 27 June 2001 by Serbia and Montenegro and the Central European Free Trade Agreement signed in Bucharest on 19 December 2006.
Cooperation with other countries having signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement
After the signature of this Agreement, Montenegro shall start negotiations with the countries which have already signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with a view to concluding bilateral conventions on regional cooperation, the aim of which shall be to enhance the scope of cooperation between the countries concerned.
The main elements of these conventions shall be:
(a)
political dialogue;
(b)
the establishment of free trade areas, consistent with relevant WTO provisions;
(c)
mutual concessions concerning the movement of workers, establishment, supply of services, current payments and movement of capital as well as other policies related to movement of persons at an equivalent level to that of this Agreement;
(d)
provisions on cooperation in other fields whether or not covered by this Agreement, and notably the field of Justice, Freedom and Security.
These conventions shall contain provisions for the creation of the necessary institutional mechanisms, as appropriate.
These conventions shall be concluded within two years after the entry into force of this Agreement. Readiness by Montenegro to conclude such conventions will be a condition for the further development of the relations between Montenegro and the European Union.
Montenegro shall initiate similar negotiations with the remaining countries of the region once these countries will have signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
Cooperation with other countries concerned by the Stabilisation and Association process
Montenegro shall pursue regional cooperation with the other States concerned by the Stabilisation and Association process in some or all the fields of cooperation covered by this Agreement, and notably those of common interest. Such cooperation should always be compatible with the principles and objectives of this Agreement.
Cooperation with other countries candidate to EU accession not concerned by the SAp
1. Montenegro should foster its cooperation and conclude a convention on regional cooperation with any country candidate for EU accession in any of the fields of cooperation covered by this Agreement. Such conventions should aim to gradually align bilateral relations between Montenegro and this country to the relevant part of the relations between the Community and its Member States and this country.
2. Montenegro shall start negotiations with Turkey which has established a customs union with the Community, with a view to concluding, on a mutually advantageous basis, an Agreement establishing a free trade area in accordance with Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 as well as liberalising the establishment and supply of services between them at an equivalent level of this Agreement in accordance with Article V of the GATS.
These negotiations should be opened as soon as possible, with a view to concluding the abovementioned Agreement before the end of the transitional period referred to in Article 18(1).
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
