Montenegrin, Maltese officials pledge closer ties, more intensive cooperation among small European countries

Valetta, Malta (6 June 2013) – During his official visit to Malta, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Lukšić met with Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Louis Grech. The meeting concluded that Montenegro made significant improvements in pursuing EU agenda and emphasised its leadership role in the region.

Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Louis Grech pointed out that his country will provide political support to Montenegro in the coming phases of the integration process, as well as the assistance in terms of the transfer of experiences.

Two deputy prime ministers exchanged views on current economic trends and possibilities for the implementation of joint and concrete initiatives aimed at upgrading economic development. They also discussed various mechanisms for cooperation and exchange of experiences regarding the advancement of business environment, regulatory and structural reforms.

Meeting between DPM Lukšić and Speaker of the Maltese Parliament Anglu Farrugia addressed numerous bilateral possibilities for boosting cooperation. Mr Farrugia said that small countries have to cooperate through existing and establish new mechanisms of cooperation, stressing that Montenegro and Malta have plenty room for cooperation in large number of areas. He pledged support for initiatives on intensive cooperation of small countries and voiced willingness for strengthening parliamentary cooperation with Montenegro, especially in the area of European integration.

During his visit to the Maltese Parliament, DPM Lukšić met with members of the Committee for Foreign and European Affairs, who welcomed new initiative on regional cooperation, adding that closer relations and joint performance of the countries of the region contribute to faster progress towards the EU.

DPM Lukšič in Valetta particularly underlined the importance of finding mechanisms for the valorisation of economic, social and cultural characteristics of small European countries in order to promote goals and values of the European Union. He stressed the Montenegro finds Maltese continued support to Montenegro’s EU bid very significant and voiced his belief that the memorandum on cooperation, which was signed on Wednesday, is an important framework for future joint actions in this and other fields of mutual interest.

DPM Lukšić and the Maltese state officials also exchanged views on small administrations’ reform and advancement of human resources, strengthening economic diplomacy, creating policy of development assistance, increasing economic cooperation, in particular in the sector of tourism, which plays a significant role in the economies of both countries.