Croatia pledges further support for Montenegro's integration efforts

Zagreb, Croatia (19 February 2013) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Lukšić and his Croatian counterpart Vesna Pusić signed the economic and tourism cooperation agreement between the two countries earlier today in Zagreb.

The agreement envisages the strengthening of cooperation between the two tourism sectors, and the establishment of an adequate framework for upgrading cooperation in the fields of industry, agriculture, forestry, energy, research and development, environmental protection, investments and small and middle-sized enterprises.

During his first official visit to Croatia, DPM Lukšić met with President of Croatia Ivo Josipović and Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Josip Leko.

Croatia strongly supports Montenegro’s accession into the EU and NATO and it looks forward to all its advances in that regard. After Croatia joins the EU, it will remain committed to good neighbourly cooperation and promotion of the values and standards that should contribute to stability and economic prosperity of the entire region, the meetings concluded.

The relations between Montenegro and Croatia are an example of good neighbourly cooperation in the region and are characterised by the continuity of high level political contacts at all levels, as the basis for their further improvement, DPM Lukšić and President Josipović agreed.

Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Josip Leko voiced satisfaction with the status of the Croatian minority in Montenegro and with its participation in the Government and Parliament.

“I am especially pleased when I hear from Croats in Montenegro that the country treats them well, which confirms that Montenegro cherishes the values for which it stands,” he said.

DPM Lukšić thanked the Croatian Government for its support for Montenegro’s EU and NATO bid, and in particular for the NATO legal acquis which Deputy Prime Minister Vesna Pusić delivered him today.