BELGRADE, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Western Balkan countries can progress towards EU membership at their own pace, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Tuesday after meeting Prime Minister of Montenegro Dusko Markovic in Podgorica.
The most important message of the recently adopted strategy of the European Commission for the Western Balkans is "that the region will eventually become a part of Europe," the two leaders agreed, according to a government press release.
Junker said that his message during his tour of the Balkans is that the perspective offered by the strategy varies from one candidate country to the other. He also praised Montenegro's dedication to pursue its European path.
"Montenegro is making faster progress than other countries thanks to the reforms that it is implementing, but it should continue with that reform process in order to become a full member country one day," Juncker said.
Markovic remarked that it is important that the European perspective of the region is alive and that partners cooperate in order for the candidates to prepare for membership and the EU to absorb new member states.
"The doors are open, and that is a clear welcome message. We feel that it is a positive thing that we can discuss a time frame and enlargement plan for the first time. We see this time frame as a realistic one because we can follow the pace we set, and our progress will be based on our accomplishments," Markovic said.
