The most important prerequisite for guaranteeing the stability and security and achieving a high economic growth in the Western Balkans is the European prospects of the countries in the region. It will be a priority issue of the forthcoming Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU in 2018. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a joint news conference with Montenegrin Head of State Filip Vujanovic in Cetinje. Bulgaria is ready to continue supporting Montenegro’s process of European integration, including by supplying our specialists’ expertise, Rumen Radev emphasized.
President Radev is on a two-day visit to the country on the eve of the Statehood Day in Montenegro – 13 July, at the invitation of President Filip Vujanovic.
Rumen Radev highly appreciated Montenegro’s responsible position and consistent efforts to establish itself as a positive example to the countries from the region. The President recalled that attaining a full-fledged EU membership depends “wholly on each country’s performance with regard to meeting the established criteria” and highlighted Montenegro as the most advanced country in this process.
The two Presidents discussed the prospects Bulgaria and Montenegro enjoy for strengthening their cooperation in the spheres of economy, infrastructure and security, and also with respect to the priority policies pursued in the region. Rumen Radev and Filip Vujanovic were unanimous that the development of regional infrastructure is of key importance for both countries. “The better transport, energy and digital connectivity in Southeastern Europe will create much better conditions for the business, for increasing investments, and also for the free communication among the citizens,” Rumen Radev said.
The Bulgarian President congratulated Filip Vujanovic on Montenegro’s NATO accession. “The Republic of Bulgaria has always been among the most active supporters of Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic integration,” the Head of State said and voiced our country’s readiness to provide assistance in the process of the Montenegrin Armed Forces’ training and reform.
Filip Vujanovic voiced his gratitude to Bulgaria for its many-year support for Montenegro’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration. I am happy that Bulgaria expressed its willingness to make the Western Balkan countries’ European integration a key priority during the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU. The relations between our countries are characterized by absolute trust and the centuries-long historical and cultural ties are a prerequisite for our excellent relations,” the Montenegrin President said.
Earlier today in Podgoritsa Rumen Radev held meetings with Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and Speaker of Parliament Ivan Brajovic. Dusko Markovic and Ivan Brajovic voiced Montenegro’s readiness to open all negotiating chapters within the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU.
At the meetings in Podgoritsa Rumen Radev called for strengthening the ties in the spheres of science and education and for making the academic exchange between Bulgaria and Montenegro more active. Convening a new meeting of the Joint Economic Committee and also strengthening the cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce in the two countries to promote economic exchange and mutual investments were also discussed.