18 April 2019 - During the past week, President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović received the President of the Parliament of Iceland Steingrimur Sigfusson, who was on an official visit to Montenegro.
The President of Montenegro expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the Icelandic Parliament President, which represents an opportunity for further improvement of relations between the two countries.
"With the exceptionally positive emotion and the relationship that Montenegro has towards Iceland, the country that first recognized our independence and ratified the NATO accession protocol, the dynamics of the meeting at the high and highest level opens up the impression that the relations of the two countries will continue to go only as an upward line," said the President of Montenegro.
He particularly pointed out the possibilities of cooperation in the field of agriculture and fisheries, as well as the exchange of experiences in tourism, investment, and trade. Referring to the achievements of Montenegro in the period since the renewal of independence, Đukanović briefed the interlocutor on the priorities of state policy after joining NATO, integration into the EU and the continuation of dynamic economic growth.
"The date of admission to the EU does not burden us; we are committed to this process primarily because we want to be part of the European value system. That is why we are strongly committed to implementing institutional and structural reforms and creating a stable investment environment," he said.
The President recalled the reasons for the decades-long lag of the Western Balkans for a developed Europe that warns that there is no alternative for this region and that it is important to catch the connection with European development and thus strengthen the stability of the Western Balkans.
The President of the Icelandic Parliament highly assessed the relations of the two countries with excellent predispositions for strengthening cooperation. In addition to fishing and trade tourism, he pointed out the possibility of joint action in the field of energy. President Sigfusson expressed full support for Montenegro's integration aspirations, recognizing that integration is an optimal framework for improving the quality of life of citizens in this region. European relations for Montenegro can only bring good, he stressed.
"It is jointly estimated that Montenegro and Iceland as small countries through intensive dialogue and cooperation can further affirm their positions on the international scene and through the principles of multilateralism. We must work as small countries together, and this is why we are more and more wondering among big players," said the Parliament President in Iceland, adding that international cooperation of small countries is vital.
