DPM Lukšić takes part in Croatia Forum 2013

Dubrovnik, Croatia (4 October 2013) – Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić participated Thursday in the Croatia Forum 2013, which takes place in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

In his speech, at the session titled “The Role of Energy in International Relations”, he pointed out that the issue of energy exceeds national and state borders and that “energy diplomacy “ is becoming increasingly important in terms of providing energy and economic security, and safety of countries.

"Montenegro is also committed to the objectives of European energy policy in line with the EU energy policy and its priorities are: smooth energy supply, development of competitive energy markets and sustainable energy development. These objectives are, inter alia, to be achieved through the investments in the energy sector, diversification of energy sources, promotion of energy efficiency, development of new technologies, as well as through intensification of international cooperation in field of energy, " DPM Lukšić underlined.

He said that joint efforts and initiatives concerning the Ionian-Adriatic (IAP) and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), are the best examples of successful energy diplomacy in meeting objectives of the European energy strategy. Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić said that the joint diplomatic activity contributed, among other things, to the selection of a corridor for the pipeline, and that the TAP and IAP represent strategic projects of great importance for our economies.

Commenting on financing these projects, DPM Lukšić said that the regional approach to addressing these issues will ensure better access to finance, including EU grants. By the same token, he emphasised the great significance of the recent meeting of regional energy ministers, who have agreed on specific steps that are to be taken.

On the sidelines of the forum, Croatia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić and DPM Lukšić signed the draft joint statement on combating homophobia and transphobia.