Talks of President Türk with the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanoviæ

Cetinje, 5.9.2011  |  press release

The President of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, on an official visit to Montenegro, met with his host, the President Montenegro, Filip Vujanoviæ. The two presidents had a tête-à-tête in the presidential residence in Cetinje, followed by plenary talks between the delegations of Montenegro and Slovenia, headed by the two presidents.

In his statement to the press, President Vujanoviæ expressed his particular pleasure at the second official visit of the Slovenian President to Montenegro, which confirms excellent communications between the two countries. This is also due to several bilateral agreements, he said, who pointed out that four new agreements had been signed during the current visit of President Türk.

According to President Vujanoviæ, among the new bilateral agreements, the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and Montenegro is by far the most important. On the basis of this agreement, a joint committee for economic development will be established, which will contribute to the further strengthening of the already good economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to President Vujanoviæ, the Montenegrin–Slovenian business forum, attended by Montenegrin businessmen as well as 108 representatives of Slovenian companies, is – by the number of participants – among the largest economic fora in the country. He expressed his expectation that the forum will yield tangible results, which will confirm the good economic partnership between Montenegro and Slovenia.

President Türk emphasised that he has but one message of significance to convey: Montenegro is the first future member of the EU. He explained that the accession process of Croatia has essentially been completed, as the accession agreement is expected to be signed before the end of this year. According to him, it is important that Montenegro obtain the date for accession negotiations and fulfil the criteria for membership and accession to the European Union as soon as possible.

President Türk affirmed that Slovenia will support this process. He pointed out that this support is based on very strong relations and comprehensive economic, political and cultural cooperation. He also stressed the importance of extensive economic cooperation, which may represent a fundamental platform for other forms of cooperation and Slovenia's assistance in Montenegro's integration into the European Union.

President Türk added that apart from the delegation accompanying him on his visit to Russia, the Slovenian economic delegation, with its 108 members, is the largest visiting any country cooperating with Slovenia. He further expressed his satisfaction at having the opportunity to visit the town of Bar to get first-hand information on certain projects carried out in cooperation with Slovenian companies.

The President of Montenegro thanked President Türk for Slovenia's support of Montenegro's efforts to join Euro-Atlantic structures. He emphasised that Slovenia has always understood Montenegro's need to approach the European Union at maximum possible speed, and that it has contributed greatly towards the positive presentation of Montenegro's endeavours for NATO membership.

President Vujanoviæ said that in this context Slovenia's role as a contact embassy to the NATO Alliance in Montenegro in the period 2011–2012 will be of particular importance. He expressed his belief that Slovenia's assistance to Montenegro's army in meeting NATO standards helped to bring their country significantly closer to the North-Atlantic Alliance.

The presidents also devoted part of their talks to regional issues and other current international affairs. President Vujanoviæ concluded the meeting by again thanking President Türk for his official visit, and repeated his appreciation of Slovenia's help in Montenegro's efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic structures.

On Tuesday, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk concluded his official visit to Montenegro by visiting the towns of Bar and Ulcinj.