 The president of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today arrived on a two-day official visit to Montenegro, where he was received with military honours by Montenegro's president, Filip Vujanoviæ. President Türk is accompanied on his visit by a delegation of businessmen, including 108 representatives from Slovenian companies.
Following the official reception, the two presidents attended the Slovenian-Montenegrin Business Forum, where both addressed an audience of business people from the two countries. |
 In his address, President Vujanoviæ highlighted the high level and quality of bilateral economic relations and further stated that Slovenia is a strategic partner for his country. He went on to recall several successful Slovenian investments in Montenegro in all aspects of the real and banking sectors. Moreover, he highlighted the participation of Slovenian companies in infrastructure projects underway in Montenegro, and the good levels of cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism.
President Türk pointed out that, in addition to the construction, tourism and banking industries, there are also other opportunities to further develop economic cooperation in the energy, green technology and agriculture sectors. He focused especially on Slovenia's experiences in the development of continental tourism, gaming and other types of tourism which are of interest for Montenegro, as well as opportunities for cooperation in electronic technologies, not least in the development of e-administration. |
 The two leaders then attended the formal signing of the following bilateral agreements:
- Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and Montenegro (the agreement was signed on behalf of Slovenia by the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Dejan ®idan);
- Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Datalab MN d.o.o., Datalab d.d. and the Institute of Accountants and Auditors of Montenegro;
- Cooperation Agreement in the Area of Standardisation between the Slovenian Institute for Standardisation and the Institute for Standardisation of Montenegro;
- Statements of Intent on Cooperation in Construction Projects in Montenegro signed by CM Celje d.d., Primorje d.d., Konel d.o.o., Yu BRIV d.o.o., and Rudnici boksita a.d.
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 Continuing his official visit, the Slovenian president met with the speaker of the Montenegrin National Assembly, Ranko Krivokapiæ, with whom he discussed the legislative projects to be implemented by parliament in order to facilitate Montenegro's ambitions to accede to the European Union. In this context, President Türk emphasised that he sees Montenegro as being the next EU member state from the area of the former Yugoslavia, with Croatia having already concluded its accession negotiations. |
 President Türk then also met with the prime minister of Montenegro, Dr Igor Luk¹iæ, with whom he discussed the current situation in the Montenegrin economy and the opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation. The Slovenian president affirmed that the excellent level of economic cooperation between the two countries is also the result of well-developed political relations in all areas and strong mutual trust; there is, however, still significant potential for increasing trade volumes. The two agreed that it is imperative that Montenegro consolidates its economic and political systems and adapts them to EU standards. |