Marković – Preca: Excellent bilateral relations between Montenegro and Malta will be incentive for future economic cooperation

Podgorica, Montenegro (9 June 2016) – Deputy Prime Minister Duško Marković hosted today President of the Republic of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who is on an official visit to Montenegro. Minister of foreign affairs and Minister of sustainable development and environmental protection also joined Maltese delegation.

DPM Marković welcomed President Preca, adding that her visit comes at a time of great political relations between the two countries, and that Montenegro will use it as an incentive for the continuation and improvement of cooperation, especially in the areas of renewable energy, agriculture and tourism.

"The excellent bilateral relations between the two countries will be incentive for future economic cooperation and progress in this area, which is already achieved through a series of completed protocols and the memoranda," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

President Preca thanked the hosts for their unique welcome, and said that her visit comes at a time of continued strengthening of political and overall relations between the two countries. She pointed out future Maltese support to Montenegro in the field of European integration.

"We observed your strong efforts and we believe that the political stability of Montenegro contributes to the region as a whole, which we will appreciate during Malta's EU presidency in the first half of 2017," Preca noted.

DPM Marković said that Montenegro is strongly interested in democratic values that are the hallmarks of modern Europe.

"Relatively small and young Montenegrin administration found the best answer to meet demanding obligations concerning the rule of law and building the political system, which are the basis for the optimal functioning of the institutions, economic development and a better quality of life for its citizens. In this context, Montenegro is, as a young democracy, powerful and persuasive example in the Republic of Malta, with which it shares common Mediterranean geopolitical values," Prime Minister Marković stated.

When it comes to the situation at the national level, President Preca assessed that Montenegrin example with the Government – in which opposition participates – gives the impression of deeper and stronger democracy in the region. DPM Marković noted that in the past two decades Montenegro proved to be a responsible regional partner in the Western Balkans.

"Montenegro showed the ability to make sustainable choices both on internal and external plan, and today there are no open issues with its neighbours, despite the negative historical heritage of the region. It is known that small countries, such as Malta and Montenegro, strongly keep their social values and overall stability," DPM Marković concluded.