"I believe the time is right for me to leave, after all successes Montenegro has achieved on the foreign policy front, notably now that the accession talks with the European Union have been launched, and after the NATO summit in Chicago when Montenegro is practically on the threshold of NATO membership," Rocen told the daily.

Asked if he had already informed the Prime Minister of his decision to resign, Rocen said the decision "will enter the official procedure very soon."

Asked about his successor, Rocen said he expected this to be "a career diplomat".

Rocen is the first foreign minister since Montenegro gained independence in 2006.