On 23 February a ministerial political dialogue meeting between the EU and Montenegro was held in Brussels.

The Commission was represented by the Director-General for Enlargement Michael Leigh, while Montenegrin Foreign Affairs minister Milan Roćen attended on behalf of Montenegro.

The meeting confirmed the progress achieved in bilateral relations between the EU and Montenegro in 2009 and reviewed the current state of reforms. During his visit, Mr Roćen also held bilateral meetings with High Representative / Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Štefan Füle.

In the meeting with Mr Füle the preparation of the Commission's Opinion was discussed. Commissioner encouraged Montenegro to continue and intensify its reforms, in particular in the area of the rule of law and administrative capacity.