Minister Nurković talked about improving cooperation in the field of maritime and air traffic at the International Maritime Forum in Batumi, Georgia

A delegation led by the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro Osman Nurković participated at the International Maritime Forum in Batumi, Georgia.

In addition to Minister Nurkovic, the delegation was the General Director of Directorate for Maritime Affairs, Mr Vladan Radonjić, General Director of Directorate for Maritime Economy, Mrs Maja Mijišković and independent consultant, Miss Bilsana Bibić.

The main goal of the International Maritime Forum is to promote common values in the field of international freight forwarding. In this context, the forum brings together high representatives of the maritime sector from different countries and regions, and the event offers the opportunity for discussion and cooperation between government and industry representatives in order to create an integrated maritime and ocean management policy. In this context, the forum brings together high representatives of the maritime sector from different countries and regions, and the event offers the opportunity for discussion and cooperation between government and industry representatives in order to create an integrated maritime and ocean management policy.

The Forum was opened by Mr Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia and Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization. In addition, during the first day they spoke of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia as well as the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, while many other senior officials participated in panels and discussions.

General Directors Mr Radonjić and Mrs Mijišković throughout the forum participated in panels related to the field of sustainable development, the role of partnerships between international organizations, the role of the blue maritime economy and maritime groupings in facilitating international trade, and challenges related to the international maritime economy. Among others, Mr Sue Baret, Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Mr Joung Kim, Head of the Department for Technical Cooperation of the International Maritime Organization, spoke on the panels.

Minister Nurković took the opportunity to meet Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development during his stay in Georgia, Mr Giorgio Cobula, in whose portfolio is also the area of transport. At the bilateral meeting, two ministers discussed improvement of cooperation between the two countries, primarily in the field of maritime and air transport. Minister Nurković presented his montenegrin potential in the field of maritime transport to his colleague, and proposed the start of cooperation on mutual recognition of the certificate of seafarers' ability to enable sailors to sail on the ships of Georgia and vice versa.

The ministers also talked about co-operation in the field of cruising tourism and vessel registration, where minister Kobulio expressed the desire to share experiences and knowledge with Montenegro and to learn from the positive experiences of the same.

There has also been agreement on the exchange of experience in the field of seafarers' training - Montenegro is located in the so-called " the White List of International Maritime Organization, which means that all authority issued to our sailors meets the standards of the International Maritime Organization.

In addition to cooperation in the field of maritime affairs, minister Nurković and Minister Kobulio also talked about the possibility of signing a Memorandum of understanding in the field of air traffic in order to enhance the development of this traffic sector. Minister Nurkovic shared his Montenegrin openness with his colleagues in helping Georgia given that Montenegro is the leader in the region when it comes to harmonization of air traffic regulations with EU regulations.

International Maritime Forum in Batumi, Georgia

Ministry of transport and maritime affairs