Montenegro and Russia discuss possibilities for upgrading tourism and energy cooperation

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Podgorica, Montenegro (19 October 2011) -- Boosting cooperation in the fields of tourism and energy between Montenegro and the Russian Federation was in the limelight of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology, Foreign Minister Milan Roćen and Russian Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief Sergey Shoigu told the press earlier today.

Both sides expressed satisfaction that the number of Russian tourists in Montenegro has been increasing year in year out reaching the figure of 235 000 for the last nine months.

They emphasised that the number of Russian tourist nights has demonstrated a significant increase of almost 50% in 2011, adding that every effort should be taken to make them want to return to Montenegro and even increase their number in the coming period.

When it comes to energy, Minister Roćen noted that Montenegro is keen to investigate the possibilities for including the country's current pipeline network in the South Stream pipeline (the gas pipeline between Russia and southern Europe).

Minister Shoigu remarked that Montenegro has big hydro-energetic potential and only 16 or 17% of it has been used to date. Therefore, leading Russian energy companies are very interested in investing in the construction of small hydro plants and the energy sector in general. If these projects are implemented, Montenegro may become the region’s power exporter, Minister Shoigu highlighted.

The Committee also discussed the possibilities for upgrading cultural, scientific and judicial cooperation between the two countries.