Fico: Montenegro has a historic opportunity, Slovakia supports „28 by 2028“
Our political relations have a solid foundation. We now want them to be accompanied by more investment, business ties and projects that create economic value for both countries - Milatović said
Montenegro is the next member of the European Union - our goal is to become the 28th member by 2028. Today, we are closer to that goal than ever before, and it is now important to maintain the pace of reforms and complete the negotiating process - Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović said in Bratislava, where he met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
According to a statement from Milatović’s office, the two discussed further strengthening political and economic relations between the two countries, continuing talks that began in June in Tivat during the European Union-Western Balkans Summit, hosted by Montenegro.
Fico thanked Milatović for the hospitality shown during the summit and gave a positive assessment of the gathering in Tivat. He also confirmed Slovakia’s full support for Montenegro’s ambition to become the European Union’s next member by 2028, saying that Montenegro has a historic opportunity to successfully complete the accession process.
Milatović, according to his office, said that Montenegro wants to turn the strong political support of its European partners into the completion of the country’s European integration process, and thanked Fico for his consistent support for Montenegro’s European path.
- Our political relations have a solid foundation. We now want them to be accompanied by more investment, business ties and projects that create economic value for both countries - Milatović said.
Particular attention was paid, according to Milatović’s office, to continuing contacts established during the Montenegro-Slovakia Business Forum, held last year in Podgorica and attended by more than 30 Slovak companies.
They added that, in the economic segment of the talks, there was scope for stronger cooperation in energy, transport infrastructure, tourism and agriculture, as well as in the IT sector and digitalization.
- Montenegro needs quality investment, new expertise and partners willing to engage in long-term projects. It is important for political talks to be followed by concrete next steps - Milatović said.
Milatović’s office said that the meeting also addressed the upcoming session of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, which provides a framework for further connecting the relevant institutions and business communities of the two countries.
According to the statement, the two officials also positively assessed the direct air connection between Podgorica and Bratislava and its importance for the development of tourism, business and other contacts.
- The direct air connection between Podgorica and Bratislava is already contributing to stronger tourism, business and other ties between the two countries - Milatović said.
Prime Minister Fico also welcomed the plan to open a Montenegrin Embassy in Bratislava, describing it as an additional impetus for stronger and more direct cooperation between the two countries.