(Brussels) “It’s deeply symbolic that Milo Dzukanovic, president of Montenegro, chose Brussels for his first visit abroad, and this undoubtedly supports the country’s pro-European and euro-Atlantic drive”. This was stated by Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, after today’s meeting with the president of the Republic of Montenegro, the day on which the Balkan country celebrates the first anniversary of his accession to NATO. Tusk mentioned last month’s EU-Western Balkans summit, which reasserted the local countries’ pro-European prospects. “Now more than ever, we need not just political statements but effective measures”, he said. As to Montenegro, the president of the EU Council found that “not only negotiations need to be opened, they need to be closed too” and insisted on the “rule of law, the fight against organised crime”, as well as “the promotion of free media, and the building of society”. In addition, Tusk did not hesitate to express to the president of Montenegro his concerns for the fact “the country’s pro-European parties can’t manage to cooperate with the existing institutions” and encouraged him to have this problem overcome. “I hope the full implementation of the international observers’ recommendations about the election will strengthen confidence in the institutions and in the election results”. Local election was held in Montenegro on May 28th, and the ruling party won, but the opposition parties claimed the election has been rigged.