Montenegro on Friday welcomed the European Union's decision to formally grant it the status of candidate for membership, with Deputy Prime Minister Igor Luksic saying the country was ready for the challenge, DPA reported.
"The decision of EU leaders is a major encouragement for Montenegro and an affirmation of our efforts," Luksic told the German Press Agency dpa.
"It is also a challenge and we have to do a lot of work in the seven areas the European Commission named as crucial for the start of accession negotiations and continue on our path to join the EU," he said.