15 June 2019 - It is essential to maintain the credibility of the enlargement policy and strengthen the European perspective of the Western Balkans, Foreign Minister of Montenegro Srđan Darmanović and his Czech counterpart Tomaš Petriček concluded at the meeting that recently took place in Podgorica.
The head of Montenegrin diplomacy stressed that Montenegro and the Czech Republic are allies and partners that foster very good relations, and reiterated Montenegro's gratitude for the strong support of the Czech Republic in the achievement of Montenegrin strategic foreign policy priorities. As noted within the official announcement of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Srđan Darmanović also added that the cooperation between the two countries has been further strengthened by the alliance in NATO, emphasising the importance of interior cohesion and the continuous strengthening of transatlantic dialogue. By the same token, he pointed out that Montenegro, as a responsible and reliable member, is strongly committed to the values, strategic goals and activities of the Alliance.
With regard to the bilateral agenda, Minister Darmanović stressed that these open and very constructive talks affirmed the Montenegrin-Czech partnership and he welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which testifies to the efforts of the two states to develop a legal normative base of mutual relations continuously. He also highlighted the importance of intensifying economic cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, agriculture, and tourism.
Minister Petriček emphasised that the two countries foster excellent and traditionally friendly relations characterised by intense contacts at political and expert levels. He underscored the importance of joint consideration of the modalities of the development of economic cooperation, and the greater presence of the Czech capital on the Montenegrin market. Regarding the European integration of the Western Balkans, Minister Petriček stressed that in the next five years he expects progress in the enlargement process, stating that Montenegro is the leader of the integration process.
Both sides agreed that the European future of the Western Balkans is the only way to long-term stability and the overall development of the region. Furthermore, they noted that the strong support of the Višegrad Group for the process of European integration is very significant, primarily due to the confirmed commitment to continue strengthening the enlargement policy.
Read more about politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.
