Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated President Milo Đukanović on the formation of the new government, saying that it is an indicator of good relations between different cultures in Montenegro, which will make the traditionally good relations between the two countries even better.
Đukanović's cabinet announced that the president had a telephone conversation with Erdogan in the context of current events in Europe and as a confirmation of the regular political dialogue between the two countries at the highest level on the situation in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe.
The two presidents, as stated, exchanged opinions on the challenges of the stability of the Western Balkans in the context of the war in Ukraine, with mutual agreement and readiness for cooperation in order to solve the political and socio-economic problems of the region.
Erdogan emphasized that, as NATO members and candidates for the EU, Montenegro and Turkey should work together to end the crisis in the region. He congratulated Đukanović on his recent assumption of the chairmanship of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe and expressed Turkey's readiness for cooperation and exchange of experiences with Montenegro. Đukanović, as announced by his cabinet, expressed satisfaction with maintaining the continuity of the dialogue with a traditional friend. He thanked Erdogan for his commitment and concern for the future of the Western Balkans, which is why, he points out, it is very important to maintain a continuous dialogue, bearing in mind Turkey's commitment to the region.
He confirmed his optimism with the development of relations in Montenegro, especially with the fact that all minorities have found a place in the new government, which, he said, will also mean strengthening relations with neighbors and certainly extend the further development of relations with Turkey. He acknowledged Erdogan's policy to "play the role of a good mediator" and help the two sides of the war in Ukraine return to political dialogue as soon as possible.
He repeated Montenegro's position that the war in Ukraine is a serious threat to European security and, at the same time, a test of the perseverance of NATO member countries to defend the values on which the Alliance rests.
The President emphasized Montenegro's interest in preserving European and NATO unity, with the belief that the extraordinary moment of European security "requires from us additional efforts for which we are ready" and which will be confirmed at the summit in Madrid. Erdogan invited President Đukanović to make an official visit to Ankara, which the two diplomatic missions will continue to work on.
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