Montenegro has asked Bulgaria to support the country's candidacy for a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UN) for the period 2026-2027, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović said.
Milatović said this at a press conference with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who is on an official visit to Montenegro.
Milatović said that Radev's visit is a confirmation of a strong alliance and mutual determination to further strengthen bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest.
He thanked Bulgaria for its previous political and expert support for the European integration of Montenegro, with the expectation that it will be continued and additionally strengthened.
"Our goal is to become the 28th member state of the European Union (EU) by 2028," added Milatović.
He said that Montenegro, as the country that has advanced the farthest in negotiations with the EU, "which will be confirmed by receiving the Report on the fulfillment of temporary standards", must take advantage of the geopolitical moment when there is a clear readiness for expansion in the Union.
Milatović stated that in addition to Bulgaria's support on Montenegro's European path, the two countries have an important cooperation within NATO, as well as an active role in preserving the peace and stability of the Balkan Peninsula.
"The largest contingent of the Montenegrin army outside the borders of Montenegro is stationed in Bulgaria. It now consists of 42 members of the Army of Montenegro," said Milatović.
He said that in this way, Montenegro actively contributes to the increased military presence in the Eastern wing of the NATO alliance, and thus to greater security in Europe.
Milatović believes that Montenegro and Bulgaria have an interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of economy, and added that they also discussed it at the meeting.
He thanked Bulgaria for the support it provides in representing the interests of Montenegrin citizens where the country has resident diplomatic missions, especially in the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Milatović stated that he informed Radev that Montenegro has submitted a candidacy for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2026-2027.
This, as Milatović added, would represent the crown of the country's diplomatic activity on the multilateral level.
He also said that on this occasion he requested the support of Bulgaria.
"Montenegro requested a more active presence within the strategically important Three Seas initiative, where we also expect Bulgarian support in this sense," added Milatović.
In response to a journalist's question to comment on the fact that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić accused him of obstructing the Montenegrin path to the EU, he said that the citizens of Budva said the best about Spajić.
"I think that many political leaders have currently turned Montenegro into a children's playground. "With very irresponsible and non-transparent messages and behavior, that must stop if we fundamentally want to make Montenegro a country of true rule of law," said Milatović.
Speaking about Justice Minister Andrej Milović, Milatović said that it is a matter for the Government, and that it is important that the entire process be open to the public.
Speaking about the crisis of the authorities in Podgorica, he said that it can be resolved either by agreement or by new elections.
Milatović, speaking about the laws that he returned to the Assembly for re-decision, stated that no law can stop completely.
"But it is precisely in this sense that I will appeal to the members of the Assembly, the same ones who said a few years ago that the legal changes concerning the Judicial Council are a constitutional attack on the state, and who this time supported that attack on the state, to at least read what spoke publicly about that legal solution, here I mean the members of the current parliamentary majority", added Milatović.
He also referred to the Draft Law on Media, and said that he thinks that the current legal solution of the Public Service is trying to completely cover the Radio and Television of Montenegro with party and political trade.
Radev said that Bulgaria values excellent relations with Montenegro and added that they are based on trust, common goals and values.
"We mapped out new perspectives. We exchanged opinions on current issues related to international relations," said Radev, reports Pobjeda.
According to him, new opportunities for cooperation are opening up in several areas, starting from trade exchange, industrial cooperation, defense, education, science and culture.
"The key condition for all this is that we have better connectivity," said Radev.
Radev said that the essence of the "three seas" initiative is to develop traffic and digital connectivity.
"I expect that our governments will work even more actively. We share common values within NATO and I want to thank Montenegro for sending a contingent of 42 soldiers. I invite the president to come to Bulgaria," said Radev.
He said that Bulgaria has always supported Montenegro on the EU path.
"Montenegro is a leader in that process and it is important that the success you are recording is an example for others. Bulgaria will continue to support these efforts with its expert and technical assistance. There is a wide space ahead of us, and the stability of our region and economic prosperity depend on our joint efforts," said Radev.
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