PM Lukšić summarises UN Session bilateral meetings: cooperation, investment, EU integration

New York, USA (22 September 2011) –Prime Minister Igor Lukšić had a series of bilateral meetings with heads of state and international organisations representatives at the 66th UN General Assembly Session. Afterwards he told the press about most interesting discussion points, including cross-border, EU-accession and international cooperation, climate change and investment in Montenegro.

PM Lukšić said his meeting with head of UN Development Programme Helen Clarke was very important, as this office’s support is crucial for Montenegro at this moment since it includes assistance in some key areas: social inclusion, displaced persons issues, climate change and adopting various standards required for EU accession.

At the meeting with Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan, PM Lukšić explored mutual assistance in various areas, mentioning in particular both countries’ aspiration to become UN Security Council members (Montenegro will bid for UNSC membership for 2026-2027).

He added that Montenegro has an interest in economic cooperation with Turkey, who is now experiencing a notable economic growth. He underlined that Montenegro wishes to use the potential and explore the interest of Turkish companies, mainly in tourism and infrastructure. PM Lukšić said he will visit Turkey soon and added that prior to the visit the transport ministries will explore possible avenues for cooperation in aero transport and infrastructure.

He also met with President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, whose country will head the EU next year, as PM Lukšić put it, “hopefully at the time when Montenegro begins accession negotiations.” In addition, the PM remarked, Montenegro could use the good practices of Cyprus, a similarly sized state, regarding the accession negotiations.

 PM Lukšić talked with Albanian President Bamir Topi about environmental projects and border cooperation, especially with regards to heavy flooding that both countries may suffer in autumn.