The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MVP) Filip Ivanović spoke today, in separate meetings, with the ambassadors of Japan, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Slovenia in Montenegro.
As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting with the Ambassador of Japan, Akira Imamura, the minister expressed his satisfaction with the stable relations and dynamics of cooperation, which both Montenegro and Japan are committed to strengthening.
"It was mutually assessed that the relations between the two countries are characterized by traditional friendship, shared values and a vision of global peace, security and prosperity," the announcement states.
It is on these foundations that bilateral cooperation should be further developed, said Ivanovic, adding that Montenegro recently opened a Consulate headed by an honorary consul in Japan based in Inuyama, which is an expression of commitment to strengthening ties and expanding economic cooperation.
Imamura said that the EU is a strategic partner of Japan and that they are happy with any progress of Montenegro towards membership in the Union.
"He conveyed his interest in further affirming the dialogue and proactive approach to strengthening bilateral relations, bearing in mind that the two countries share strategic directions of development," the statement added.
In the conversation with the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, Veselko Grubišić, it was reported that the priorities of the 44th Government in the field of foreign policy were discussed, as well as further steps in the direction of strengthening good neighborly relations.
"We are grateful to the Republic of Croatia for its strong support for the integration of our country into the European Union, and we believe that as two neighboring, friendly and allied countries, we will continue to cooperate in many areas of common interest," Ivanović said.
Grubišić pointed out that Croatia sees Montenegro as a long-term good neighbor and a credible ally in the NATO alliance, and that it remains available for assistance in the negotiation process with the EU.
"He emphasized that the entry of Montenegro into the European family will certainly be an incentive for other candidate countries, especially in the Western Balkans region," the announcement reads.
That Montenegro's progress towards the European Union is good news for all candidate countries is also a message from Minister Ivanovic's conversation with the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zećir Ramčilović.
Opinions were exchanged on the importance of regional cooperation and the common European perspective of the Western Balkans, and it was mutually assessed that bilateral relations are excellent, additionally strengthened by the alliance in NATO, as well as that the two countries share directions of strategic development and focus on EU integration.
"In the context of North Macedonia's current chairmanship of the OSCE, the commitment to preserving democratic standards and working together to preserve security and strengthen economic cooperation, as a prerequisite for the fastest possible accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union, was emphasized," the statement added.
The meeting with the ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Bernarda Gradišnik, was an opportunity to highlight the excellent bilateral relations between Montenegro and Slovenia, which are based on the principles of friendship, dialogue and cooperation.
"Ivanović said that the NATO alliance has further strengthened the cooperation between the two countries, and added that he believes in a common future within the EU, thanking Slovenia for its sincere and continuous support for Montenegro's European path," the announcement states.
Gradišnik said that Slovenia, according to the statement, is a strong supporter of the accession of Montenegro and the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union.
"She conveyed Slovenia's readiness to continue supporting Montenegro in the reform processes, and pointed to the interest of Slovenian investors and readiness to further strengthen economic and cooperation in other areas of mutual interest," it said.
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