VIENNA, Nov. 25 -- Montenegro Prime Minister Milo Dukanovic said he believes the future of Western Balkan nations depends on joining the EU and NATO, in an interview with the Austria Press Agency published Tuesday.

"We are of the opinion that the lives of people will improve with the access to the EU membership," he added.

Dukanovic said Montenegro has been involved in accession negotiations with the EU for about two years. He said this process has enjoyed "impressively large support" within the country, even though enthusiasm has waned over time largely due to the drawn-out euro crisis.

Aware that the EU has become more cautious about expansion, he emphasized the importance of tackling the EU scepticism head on and backing the euro currency, as well as the need of EU's expansion for lasting stability of the Balkans region.

Dukanovic said his small nation of 625,000 people has good relations with neighboring countries and has implemented reforms.

The most important issues at the moment are fighting corruption and sticking to the rule of law, he added. Corruption, somewhat rife within the government and administrative bodies in Montenegro, has been criticized in the updated EU progress report.

He said it is important to address this criticism coming from the outside perspective, and that crucial steps have already been taken.