Romania will continue to support Montenegro in the accession negotiations with the European Union, and the speed of those negotiations will depend on the merits of the official Podgorica, said President of Romania Klaus Iohannis.
"Romania supports and will continue to strongly support the process of EU enlargement to partners from the Western Balkans and candidate countries from the Eastern neighborhood. We are convinced that this policy is the best investment in the stability, prosperity and democratic stabilization of Europe," said Iohannis at a press conference with the President of Montenegro. Up to Jakov Milatović.
Milatović said that the official visit of Iohannis to our country is of great importance, because it represents the first visit of a Romanian president since independence.
As he pointed out, he highly values the country's support on the way to EU membership.
"I also want to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania for their support. Invoking partnership with friendly countries, such as Romania, Montenegro has resolutely embarked on the path of reforms, sharing the vision of a prosperous and united Europe," said the head of state.
He added that, despite the demanding and sensitive geopolitical position, Romania managed to make the most of the opportunities offered and use the enormous potential of its people, to build a strong state in the eastern part of the EU.
"At the time of entry, Romania was at 40 percent of the EU living standard, and today it is at 80 percent," Milatović pointed out.
When it comes to economic cooperation, he said that he believes that "we have a great chance in front of us". "Although the current trade exchange is below the level of potential, especially in the sphere of investments and tourism, I am convinced that we can open new chapters in our economic relations. Foreign direct investments and joint projects are a way to further connect our economies and strengthen the ties between our peoples."
Milatović said that Montenegro and Romania, as NATO allies, share common values of security and stability. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Iohannis for strongly supporting our entry into NATO in 2017. Through its two-decade membership, Romania has shown its commitment to preserving peace and stability on our European continent. Montenegro remains firmly committed to these goals, supporting the Alliance and the principles of collective security on which it rests. At a time when solidarity and trust are key, I am convinced that relations between Montenegro and Romania will continue to develop in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation."
Iohannis pointed out that today they had extensive discussions about the European path of Montenegro and the support that Romania gives to Montenegro in that field, but also about the security situation in the region.
He added that the speed of the accession negotiations will depend on the merits of Montenegro, but also that the support of his country will continue, as well as the readiness to offer expert support wherever necessary.
"We have agreed to support more Romanian companies in Montenegro... We have emphasized our interest in developing cooperation in several areas that would bring tangible benefits to the citizens - defense, tourism, energy...", announced Iohannis.
The President of Romania also said that he talked with Milatović about the impact of the war in Ukraine on the Western Balkans.
Answering a journalist's question about the establishment of an airline, the Romanian president said that Montenegro is not unknown to Romanians.
"For them, Montenegro is a country that they look at with great sympathy. Many Romanians have visited Montenegro, whether they are tourists or those who see the possibility of economic cooperation. When it comes to economic cooperation, we do not think that things should remain as they are , so we decided today to encourage our governments to take concrete steps to support entrepreneurs from Montenegro and Romania to get closer on that business plan," he announced.
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