Montenegro remains a reliable partner and an active factor of stability in the region, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, who participated in the Munich Security Conference.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that this is one of the most important global forums dedicated to international security and foreign policy issues, and that participation in the event represented an opportunity for intensive bilateral dialogue with numerous interlocutors from Europe and the world.
They said that Ibrahimović exchanged views on current geopolitical challenges, the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the strengthening of multilateralism, and NATO's role in preserving stability.
In separate talks with State Minister at the German Foreign Ministry Günter Krichbaum and Bundestag member Karl-Philip Sassenrath, it was assessed that the Berlin Process has an irreplaceable role in strengthening regional cooperation and connecting the Western Balkan countries with the European Union. It was emphasized that Montenegro's chairmanship of the Berlin Process in 2026 represents recognition of its previous commitment to European integration and confirmation of its status as a reliable partner. Montenegro, they recalled, will chair the Western Balkans Fund, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the period November 2026 - May 2027, and will host the EU - Western Balkans Summit in June this year. The interlocutors pointed out the importance of Germany's continued political and expert support for Montenegro's European integration process.
Ibrahimović also met with NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge, with whom he exchanged views on security challenges and Montenegro's contribution to national security, as well as the collective security of the Alliance.
During the meeting with the Minister for European Affairs and Defence of Ireland, Thomas Byrne, the dynamics of Montenegro's European integration and the upcoming priorities in that process were discussed. Ibrahimović highlighted Montenegro's ambition to close all negotiation chapters during the Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union, assessing that this is a realistic and achievable goal with strong political and expert support from partner member states. The interlocutors agreed that Ireland provides continuous and strong support to Montenegro's European path, and that its presidency will represent an important incentive for further acceleration of the negotiation process.
At a meeting with the Icelandic Foreign Minister Tjørgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, the Minister pointed out the special importance of Iceland for Montenegro, recalling that it was the first country to recognize Montenegrin independence and the first to ratify the Protocol on Montenegro's Accession to NATO. He informed the Icelandic side about Montenegro's foreign policy priorities, emphasizing that, after NATO membership, full membership in the European Union remains the country's primary strategic goal.
Ibrahimović also held a bilateral meeting with Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Glaucus Confucius, with whom he exchanged views on regional opportunities and challenges "while confirming that sustainable stability in the Western Balkans is a prerequisite for a European perspective," the statement said.
In a conversation with former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister and candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations Maria Espinoza Garces, special attention was paid to the future of the UN and expectations from the next Secretary-General. "The interlocutors assessed that the proposed candidacies indicate a competitive selection process, which is expected to appoint a leader capable of bringing the UN reforms to a conclusion and turning the existing challenges into an opportunity to strengthen and modernize the organization. Minister Ibrahimović emphasized Montenegro's commitment to European integration, NATO and multilateral cooperation frameworks," the MFA added.
During the meeting with the Head of Diplomacy of the Philippines, Maria Teresa Lazaro, it was noted that relations between Montenegro and the Philippines are good and based on decades of friendship. It was emphasized that fostering political dialogue is the basis for initiating new forms of cooperation of mutual interest and further strengthening bilateral relations, with the expectation of intensifying political and working contacts in the coming period.
"Minister Ibrahimović also used his stay in Munich to meet with representatives of the Bayern Football Club, with the aim of exchanging opinions on sport as an important instrument of international cooperation and the promotion of positive values," the statement reads.
"We build credible and friendly relationships around the world"
Ibrahimović said that participating in the Munich Security Conference was an excellent opportunity to talk with partners from Europe and the world about security, stability and Montenegro's European path.
"On the sidelines of the conference, I had key bilateral meetings - with high-ranking representatives from Germany on the Berlin Process and regional cooperation; with the Minister for European Affairs of Ireland on strong support for the closure of all negotiation chapters during their presidency of the European Union; with the head of Icelandic diplomacy on our traditional friendly relations and Iceland's continued support for our foreign policy goals, as well as with NATO representatives, confirming that Montenegro remains a reliable partner and an active factor of stability in the region," he said.
He said he was particularly pleased to meet with the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, who confirmed his participation in the "Gavro Vuković" Summer School for Young Diplomats.
"I also had discussions with the head of Kosovo's diplomacy on regional challenges, as well as with colleagues from the Philippines and Ecuador, in which we spoke about deepening political dialogue, bilateral cooperation and reform of the United Nations. These meetings clearly show that Montenegro is building credible and friendly relations around the world, committed to its European and transatlantic future," Ibrahimović said.
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