Following is the text of the congratulations message by Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, addressed to H.E. Mr. Filip Vujanović, in Brussels, Belgium, April 8:

I would like to congratulate you on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Montenegro.
This is a critical moment for the Western Balkans and I am confident that Montenegro will continue to play a significant role in the region.
With the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union and the enactment of the new Constitution, Montenegro has achieved progress and demonstrated its readiness and will to advance on the European integration path and to assume the responsibilities of a modern and democratic State in a spirit of consensus.
However, there are important challenges ahead. The President of the Republic has a key role in this context. Montenegro now needs to build on its track record by focusing on the implementation of the obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, enhancing its administrative capacity and developing an efficient and independent judiciary.
Montenegro will also need to redouble its efforts in the fight against corruption and organised crime.
I wish you every success in tackling the challenges ahead and in working towards fulfilling Montenegro’s European future.

See online: European Commission :: President Barroso.

Following is the press release n° S127/08 delivered by the Spokesperson of Mr. Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, after the publication of the official results of the presidential election in Montenegro, in Brussels, Belgium, April 8:

Mr. Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) today sent a message to congratulate President Filip Vujanović in his re-election as President of Montenegro.
The High Representative welcomed the calm and orderly conduct of the elections in Montenegro which were held on Sunday 6 April. The high turnout and the immediate acceptance of the outcome by all the candidates show the maturity of democracy and the strengthened institutional capacity in Montenegro.

See online: Council of the European Union :: Javier Solana.

Following is the press release delivered by the Spokesperson of the (Slovenian) Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the publication of the official results of the presidential election in Montenegro, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, April 8:

The Presidency applauds the high turnout in the, according to the preliminary assessment, free and fair elections. It congratulates Filip Vujanović for his reelection for the second term in the office.
The Presidency also welcomes the fact that European integration has played an important role in the pre-election campaign.
In that context, the Presidency reiterates its commitment to the European perspective of Montenegro, as most recently expressed at the informal Gymnich meeting on 29 March 2008 in Brdo.
It calls on all Montenegrin political forces to continue with the implementation of the key reform priorities and to further consolidate the internal consensus on the state-building process, which is essential for the further development of Montenegro’s relations with the EU.

See online: Slovenian Presidency of the European Union 2008.