We agreed that it is necessary to appoint the ambassador of Serbia to Montenegro in the near future, as well as the ambassador of Montenegro to Serbia, announced the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović at the press conference after the meeting with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.
He said that the visit to Belgrade is the first official visit to one of the countries of the region and that it comes as a natural continuation, bearing in mind that good neighborly relations, along with the country's commitment to the Euro-Atlantic future, are Montenegro's foreign policy priorities.
He assessed that the presence of Vučić at the inauguration ceremony in Podgorica, the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dačić at the Summit of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe hosted by Montenegro and the official visit to Belgrade in the short term are important steps in the political revitalization of relations between the two countries.
"Montenegro and Serbia are bound by a common history and traditional closeness. But our countries also share a common European goal. All of these are reasons that oblige us to have the best possible, friendly and meaningful relations, with full mutual respect, even when on certain topics we do not think the same. We, the statesmen of the two countries, have a special responsibility not to disturb these relations, but to improve them. We agreed that it is necessary that in the near future the ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Montenegro be appointed, as well as the ambassador of Montenegro to To the Republic of Serbia," said Milatović.
He announced that, through the prism of economy, Serbia is one of the most important economic partners of Montenegro.
"The share of foreign trade goods exchange with Serbia in 2022 was 18% in our total goods exchange with the world. Serbia is the largest tourist market for Montenegro. In the structure of overnight stays by foreign tourists, in 2022, the most overnight stays were made by tourists from Serbia, and that's just over 3 million overnight stays, or 25,5% of the total number. On the other hand, Montenegro is also among the most important tourist markets for Serbia, and the sixth largest market in order, with a share of 4% of total overnight stays. Serbia was the largest foreign investor in Montenegro last year. The amount of foreign direct investments from Serbia in 2022 amounted to 137 million euros, which is a share of 12% of the total value of foreign direct investments," said Milatović.
He added that despite this, the two countries do not have relations at the level of ambassadors, common border crossings as they exist with Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Joint Commission to resolve these issues has not been meeting for years.
"These were the topics we talked about and we agreed that it is our responsibility and obligation to address them. By strengthening diplomatic relations, we will be closer to the solution of other issues of mutual interest, such as the final establishment of direct payment transactions, the possibility of joint border crossings, establishing the practice of joint sessions of the Government where issues of importance for the lives of our citizens and the economy would be resolved," said Milatović.
He also discussed with Vučić the necessity of stronger cooperation on joint infrastructure projects - such as the continuation of the construction of the Bar-Belgrade highway, the completion of the repair of the Belgrade-Bar railway, as well as projects in the field of energy and the IT sector.
Milatović congratulated Serbia on being chosen as the host of the renowned international exhibition EXPO, which will be held in Belgrade in August 2027, and said that this is excellent news for the region as a whole.
He pointed out that, within the framework of political relations, the two countries share common European goals and that as the president of Montenegro, which has advanced the farthest in negotiations with the EU, he firmly believes that the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the European Union has no alternative.
"Strengthening the safety and security of the region is a key prerequisite for our further progress in the integration process. I would also emphasize the importance of the Berlin Process, which has an irreplaceable role in strengthening regional cooperation and connecting the countries of the region with the EU. In all this, Montenegro and Serbia, as two neighbors connected by history, tradition, culture, lively economic cooperation and European vision, with this visit are turning over a new leaf in relations, for the betterment of our citizens and the region as a whole", concluded Milatović.
He invited President Vučić to an official visit to Podgorica, which, he believes, would be another indicator of improved cooperation between the two countries.
Answering a journalist's question, Vučić said that in the next ten or 12 days, Serbia will make a decision on who will be the new ambassador to Montenegro.
Vučić: For us, Montenegro is an extremely important partner because of the traditional closeness and connectedness of its citizens
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, announced that it was his great pleasure to host the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović.
"Today's and yesterday's talks are a confirmation that we share the opinion that strengthening bilateral ties and closer cooperation is of great mutual benefit. Our good relations are important for the sake of the citizens of our countries and the people who must feel the benefits and benefits of what we are discussing." said Vučić at the press conference after the meeting with Milatović.
He points out that, considering the size of the countries, Serbia and Montenegro have the largest trade exchange, and that Montenegro is an important partner.
He said that Serbia and Montenegro have a large trade exchange, considering the size of the countries.
"For us, Montenegro is an extremely important partner not only because of the economy and what can be measured by numbers, but also because of the traditional closeness and connection of the citizens, the large number of Serbs living in Montenegro and the large number of Montenegrins living in Serbia," he said. Vucic.
He discussed all important topics, from infrastructural issues, construction of highways, further construction of the railway line, as well as further connection in terms of energy.
"The talks confirmed that we share the opinion that strengthening bilateral ties and closer cooperation is of enormous mutual benefit. Our good relations are important because of the people who need to feel the benefit and benefit from what we are talking about," said Vučić.
Vučić stated that Milatović requested the most favorable position for Montenegro at Expo 2027, which the Serbian president promised him.
"We talked about all other important issues - from infrastructural issues, the construction of highways that will connect us, to get from Belgrade to Podgorica in 4,5 hours, the need for further construction of the railway line, further connection in terms of energy," he said. Vucic.
This, he says, refers to the Pljevlja-Bajina Bašta transmission line, where there are technical disagreements and problems, which were analyzed today.
Spoke with EI about the announcement from Montenegro that intends to build a terminal for liquefied gas in Bar.
"Serbia is interested in buying part of that liquefied gas, that's why we are ready to lower the steel pipes towards the measuring station in Bijelo Polje, so that we can buy significant quantities of gas," said Vučić.
He stated that the daily capacity would be 2,7 million cubic meters, which, he points out, would help further security of supply and diversification of gas supply in the future.
Vučić stated that there are those in Montenegro who are trying to raise the fear of Serbia, and said that Serbia will participate only in those matters in which Montenegro wants to.
"We will not stand in your shadow. We don't think of asking for anything that someone else doesn't want, we talk in a very civilized, normal way that should build trust between us in the future as well," said Vučić.
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