Montenegro, through its example, confirms the credibility of the European Union's enlargement policy and its importance for the stability of the Western Balkans.
This was assessed at a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Juraj Blanar.
As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP), Ibrahimović met with Blanaro during his return visit to Montenegro, following Ibrahimović's visit to Slovakia last year.
"The frequency of high-level political contacts is a confirmation of the exceptional partnership between Montenegro and Slovakia, based on friendly relations, close historical and cultural ties, and strong cooperation and mutual support. During the bilateral meeting of the two delegations, Ministers Ibrahimović and Blanar had an open and substantive discussion on key aspects of bilateral relations, Montenegro's European integration, regional cooperation, as well as current security and geopolitical challenges. Minister Ibrahimović particularly emphasized the importance of the recently adopted Decision of the Government of Montenegro on the opening of the Embassy of Montenegro in the Republic of Slovakia, with headquarters in Bratislava, assessing it as a strong signal of commitment to further improving political dialogue and overall relations between the two countries," the MFA statement said.
As stated, the close and reliable cooperation between Montenegro and Slovakia within the framework of NATO was emphasized, based on common security priorities and transatlantic unity.
"Minister Ibrahimović recalled the significant role of Slovakia in the process of restoring Montenegro's independence, as well as in its international affirmation, including NATO membership and progress on the European path. Ibrahimović thanked Slovakia for its strong and consistent support for the European Union's enlargement policy to the Western Balkans, especially through its engagement within the 'Friends of the Western Balkans' Group, emphasizing that this support also has a strong foothold in public opinion. In this context, Minister Ibrahimović expressed satisfaction with the support of Slovak citizens for Montenegro's European integration, bearing in mind that, according to the results of the Eurobarometer survey from September last year, it amounts to 65 percent," the statement reads.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the interlocutors exchanged opinions on current regional initiatives, as well as on Montenegro's role as host of the European Union - Western Balkans Summit in June, as well as its chairmanship of the Berlin Process and the Western Balkans Fund this year.
"In this context, Minister Ibrahimović informed Minister Blanar that Montenegro will assume the six-month chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in November, for which intensive preparations are underway. Ibrahimović emphasized Montenegro's determination to complete negotiations on EU membership by the end of this year and be ready for membership by 2028, recalling that the latest European Commission Report is the most positive so far, and that six negotiation chapters were closed in the previous year, as well as another one at the beginning of this year. It was assessed that Montenegro, by its example, confirms the credibility of the European Union's enlargement policy and its importance for the stability of the Western Balkans," the statement said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mutual interest was expressed in improving economic cooperation between Montenegro and Slovakia through joint projects, exchange of knowledge and technology, as well as through increasing direct investments.
"The announced direct Wizz Air flight, which will connect the two countries from May 21 this year, with a frequency of three times a week, will be a generator of successful cooperation in the field of tourism. At the end of the meeting, Minister Ibrahimović thanked Minister Blanar for the visit and for the continuous support that the Republic of Slovakia provides to Montenegro, with a mutual confirmation of the readiness to further improve the partnership and friendly relations between the two countries, on the foundations of common European values, peace and stability in the region," the statement concluded.
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