Montenegro sees Turkey as an important and constructive partner in the Western Balkans, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, adding that dialogue and cooperation are the foundation of the stability of the region.
Ibrahimović said this at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Western Balkan countries and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, which is being held in Istanbul as part of the Balkan Peace Platform.
As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP), in a separate conversation between Ibrahimović and Fidan, the importance of the Balkan Peace Platform and Turkey's contribution to regional stability and security was emphasized.
"The meeting was an opportunity to once again confirm the importance of friendly ties and constructive cooperation between Montenegro and Turkey," the statement said.
It is stated that the ministerial meeting discussed strengthening regional stability through open political dialogue, improving mutual cooperation and building trust among the countries of the region, as well as defining joint projects in areas of interest.
Ibrahimović emphasized that the importance of the Balkan Peace Platform lies in its ability to connect the countries of the region through inclusive dialogue and concrete forms of cooperation.
As he emphasized, initiatives that promote peace, understanding and partnership are of crucial importance for a region that carries a complex historical heritage.
"Montenegro attaches particular importance to regional cooperation and good neighborly relations, which represent the foundation of its European path," Ibrahimović said.
He recalled that Montenegro closed six negotiation chapters with the European Union (EU) last year, and that it will close another chapter in a few days.
As he assessed, this result is not only a technical success, but also a confirmation of the political maturity and institutional credibility of the state.
"Montenegro remains firmly committed to the goal of becoming the next EU member in 2028," Ibrahimović said, adding that he is convinced that regional stability and cooperation are indispensable prerequisites for that process.
Ibrahimović emphasized Montenegro's readiness to share its experiences with other candidates for membership, in a spirit of solidarity, so that the entire Western Balkans region can progress towards the EU in the foreseeable future.
As Ibrahimović pointed out, Montenegro attaches great importance to relations with Turkey, which are deeply rooted in historical ties, people-to-people contacts, economic cooperation and shared responsibility for the stability of Southeast Europe.
"Montenegro recognizes Turkey as a constructive and respected partner in the Western Balkans region," Ibrahimović said.
He assessed that the Balkan Peace Platform provides an opportunity for dialogue to always come first, and that Montenegro will continue to act as a constructive, reliable and responsible partner, dedicated to peace, cooperation, European values, strong relations with Turkey and building a region that will be marked by mutual trust in the future, not by divisions from the past.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahimović also spoke with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul.
It is added that this is another confirmation of the strong relations between the two countries.
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