President of the European Parliament (EP) Jerzy Buzek stated in Brussels that, as regards the EP, accession negotiations between Montenegro and the European Union could start instantly.

Great majority of MPs in the EP voted Wednesday in favour of the resolution which recommends that the European Commission opens the accession negotiations by the end of the year, if Montenegro demonstrates that it has fulfilled all the requirements.

Buzek underlined that this resolution indicates that Montenegro has a European future, the Podgorica-based daily Pobjeda reported.

There is no reason for further delay. The negotiations should start as soon as the European Commission gives a green light, Buzek said stressing, however, that the country should make improvements in certain domains, rule of law in particular.

Estimating that the issues of corruption, organized crime and conflict of interest are giving serious cause for concern, Buzek was adamant that Montenegro's authorities should not wait for negotiations to start so as to list them as priorities.

I believe that Montenegro's authorities will implement adequate measures and I hope that the country will soon become an EU member state, Buzek told the daily.