The Western Balkans is extremely important for the European continent, and Montenegro and the region are an inseparable part of it. In the same spirit, it is necessary to work on changing the narrative and perception of the Western Balkan region in the member states of the Union, that is, on strengthening the mutual dialogue of the EU and its relationship with Montenegro and other countries of the region - it was assessed today in Paris at the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović with the president of the France-Western Balkans Friendship Group and the secretary of the Commission for European Affairs in the Senate, Marta de Sidrak, during the first day of Radulović's working visit to Paris.
At the meeting, which was also attended by Senators Ellen Conway Moore, former minister for the French abroad and Olivier Kadik, as well as several other French senators, it was pointed out that Montenegro highly values the support that France, as one of the most influential EU members, provides to Montenegro. it was announced from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The head of Montenegrin diplomacy thanked Senator Sidrak for her personal advocacy for more significant French support for the process of joining the Western Balkans to the EU. Radulović said that Montenegro accepted in good faith the new methodology of the European Union, of which France is the main proponent, and that it is firmly committed to implementing all the necessary reforms in order to achieve its strategic goal - membership in the Union. Along these lines, he said that our country is dedicated to fulfilling its obligations from the European agenda despite the challenging political, economic and health situation.
At the meeting, it was added, the importance of strengthening the inter-parliamentary dialogue between Montenegro and France was apostrophized, and the firm belief was expressed that in the nearest future a Friendship Group will be formed in the Montenegrin Parliament, which will be an important mechanism for further strengthening of parliamentary cooperation.
Senator Sidrak presented Minister Radulović with an honorary medal of the Senate.
During his visit to Paris, Radulović had a separate meeting with Žeraldin Lamble, director of MEDEF, a French business association that gathers 7.100 French companies and operates in more than 120 countries around the world.
At the meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was assessed that Montenegro is an interesting and attractive address for French small and medium-sized companies that have expertise in the fields of infrastructure, green economy, agribusiness, cyber security, appreciating "the favorable investment climate that the Government of Montenegro Specially dedicated above, which will include, in addition to the existing attractive tax rates, a zero tolerance rate for corruption". MEDEF has 85 business councils headed by CEOs of the largest French companies. Also, the Business Council for the Western Balkans is active within that French association.
The head of Montenegrin diplomacy said that Montenegro is interested in the promotion of investment, tourism and economic potential in France, with a greater presence of French investors who have confirmed themselves as credible partners. In this context, concrete steps for further cooperation with MEDEF were considered through, as announced during the conversation, organizing a webinar of representatives of the Montenegrin ministries of finance, economic development and capital investments with MEDEF officials, in the presence of representatives of renowned French companies.
The interlocutors, as reported, concluded that a more significant presence of French investors would be desirable, so that the high-quality political relations between the two countries would gain an economic dimension and value, especially appreciating the strategic commitment to become a member of the European Union as soon as possible.
During the conversation, it was stated that Montenegro, as an important tourist destination, is dedicated to creating the preconditions for organizing a safe tourist season, and that in this context, the return of French tourists is important as one of the traditionally most numerous visitors from the European Union.
The planned signing of the Cooperation Agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) is of particular importance for Montenegro, and the Agency's presence in the Western Balkans is an exceptional opportunity to achieve more concrete cooperation between France and all the countries of our region, it was assessed at the meeting.
A meeting between Minister Radulović and Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš took place at the Embassy of Montenegro in Paris.
During the conversation, a common commitment to the development and affirmation of Montenegro on the European and world map was highlighted, with a focus on nurturing democratic values, Montenegrin culture and work on the implementation of development projects, i.e. the valorization of Montenegro as an ecological state under the motto "Small is beautiful", which would included small countries that are committed to the implementation of environmental standards (for example, Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Costa Rica).
Also, the willingness of state institutions to provide support to Prince Nikola Petrović with the aim of affirming cooperation with close countries that have a royal form of organization was expressed.
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