Rocen and Lavrov praise bilateral ties as Montenegro and Russia mark 300th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Podgorica, Montenegro (19 April 2011) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Montenegro today as part of his tour of the region. Mr Lavrov and his host, Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Milan Roćen, praised excellent cooperation between the two countries, underlining that this June marks 300 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The two ministers recalled two most recent tokens of friendship, a Montenegrin ship evacuating a group of Russian citizens from war-torn Libya and Russia’s ample help to relief efforts following unprecedented floods in Montenegro this winter. On this occasion, several cooperation and friendship agreements were signed, marking the continuation of this long standing amity.

In his conversation with Prime Minister Igor Lukšić earlier today, Minister Lavrov agreed that cooperation between the two states could be advanced by upgrading economic and tourism ties. Lavrov also reiterated Russian support for Montenegro’s EU bid.