PM Marković meets in Skopje with his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev

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Skopje, Republic of Macedonia (16 October 2017) -- Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković stated at a joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev in Skopje that today's talks testify to the fact that relations between the two countries are characterised by open, friendly and high-level cooperation, and that Montenegro and Macedonia do not have outstanding issues, foster exceptional mutual communication and set an example of excellent bilateral cooperation in the region.

Recalling that this is their fifth meeting in the last five months, PM Marković stressed:

"This tells us that we are set to implement a new practice among the leaders in the region in the best possible way. Therefore, the direct communication and open dialogue are the only way to overcome misunderstandings, establish a greater degree of trust among all of us, as there is no other way to reach our greatest goal of peaceful and prosperous life in the Western Balkans.

We have also confirmed this time the commitment to the European and Euro-Atlantic vision for the entire region of the Western Balkans. As the youngest member of NATO and a leader in the integration process with the EU, Montenegro will strongly support the same perspective for Macedonia and other aspiring countries in the region."

Referring to the importance of the A5 Summit, which took place in Podgorica on 2 August, and sponsored by Montenegro and Macedonia, PM Marković pointed out the commitment to open door policy and the willingness of the Alliance to expand, as confirmed by US Vice President Mike Pence.

Prime Minister Marković voiced the Government of Montenegro’s willingness to share the knowledge and experience acquired in EU negotiation process with the Macedonian Government in order to better and more quickly integrate the two countries into the EU.

Speaking about bilateral relations, the Prime Minister underlined that today’s meeting confirmed the commitment to boost cooperation in the field of economy and infrastructure connectivity, and underscored:

"In particular, we will look for a model for the establishment of the Podgorica-Skopje airline, which would contribute to the increase of business communities, promotion of tourism potentials and attracting of foreign investments.

I thanked Prime Minister Zaev for Macedonia's support for Montenegro’s initiative to establish the International Scientific Institute for the Development of Sustainable Technologies in South East Europe. This very important project has been supported by all the countries of the region and we expect that the declaration on the founding of this institute will be signed in the CERN in Geneva in the next ten days."

Prime Minister Marković said that the meeting also addressed the contractual and legal base, which will soon be enriched by the signing of a number of important bilateral agreements and added that they agreed that the intensive exchange of visits at a high level need to continue, announcing that the Montenegrin defence and foreign ministers will talk with their counterparts in Skopje in November.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev noted that the Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro are set to enhance economic cooperation and partnership in developing good neighbourly relations for the sake of common Euro-Atlantic future of the entire region.

"There is a strong political will at the highest level to deepen relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro. The two friendly countries do not have outstanding political issues and this is an excellent basis for intensifying cooperation at all levels in the interest of the citizens of both countries. We will open up opportunities, we are ready as governments to provide the necessary conditions to encourage our business chambers to connect even stronger for the sake of new investment, new jobs for citizens, which is our common interest. This will succeed in doing this provided we work together to harmonise the standards that Europe is seeking in order to increase the economic market, as we will draw the attention of large European and world companies to our countries."

Prime Minister Zaev noted that today’s meeting also discussed expanding cooperation in education, health, tourism, science and technology and other areas, and that in this context, the possibilities for establishing a direct flight between Macedonia and Montenegro were considered.

"Two countries can help one another in Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We exchanged today with Prime Minister Marković new experiences of what NATO membership means for Montenegro, that it is not only about stability and security of the country, but also about economic prospects and shared the expectation that Macedonia will be the next, the 30th member country of NATO," Prime Minister Zaev concluded.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO