Russian News & Information Agency /RIA/: Premier of Montenegro points out at growing interest of Russian business in the Republic

PREMIER OF MONTENEGRO POINTS OUT AT GROWING INTEREST OF RUSSIAN BUSINESS IN THE REPUBLIC

MOSCOW, December 19 (RIA Novosti's Sergei Ryabikin) - Recently, we are noticing a growing interest toward Montenegro on the part of Russian tourists and business, stated Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"If originally the cooperation between Russia and Montenegro was limited to the sphere of tourism, at present a growing number of Russian investors show interest in such sectors of our economy as aluminum industry, telecommunications and some others," the premier underlined.

Mr. Djukanovic stated that Russia and Montenegro maintained an intensive dialogue this year, mentioning his meeting with Vladimir Putin and Russian ministers.

In addition, Mr. Djukanovic maintains a "long-lasting constructive relationship" with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov. "I can confirm that the ties between Montenegro and Moscow are steadily developing," the Premier of Montenegro emphasized.

Friendly relations between Montenegro and Russia led to organization of the biggest presentation of Montenegro abroad, which was held on December 17-18 in Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, a hundred meters from the Kremlin. It was held under a slogan, " Montenegro: the perspectives of cooperation."

During this forum, the sides signed an agreement on cooperation between the government of Montenegro and Moscow city authorities.

According to Mr. Djukanovic, Russian citizens visiting Montenegro "find themselves in a circle of friends. They do not have problems with entry visas, language or other kinds of barriers. On the other hand, thanks to Russian investments, Montenegro can overcome economic difficulties facing all Balkan countries after the events of the 1990s faster."

Mr. Djukanovic announced that both sides agreed to open a Russian cultural and information center in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica.

Summing up the results of the tourist season, the Premier of Montenegro pointed out that 18,000 Russian tourists officially visited Montenegro in 2004, constituting 11% of all foreign tourist flow to the republic. However, this data does not reflect the real number of Russian tourists because a large number of Russian tourists did not use the help of tourist agencies while visiting Montenegro.

"We believe that the official numbers are not sufficient. Montenegro did not use up the potential of its tourism industry to attract more Russian tourists," Mr. Djukanovic emphasized.