Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica OSCE Chair, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica with Bulgarian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chair Solomon Passy who is paying an official visit to our Republic, as part of his visit to the Western Balkans.

The two officials exchanged views on the issues concerning bilateral relations and cooperation, current developments in Montenegro and relations within the State Union and the Western Balkans. They also discussed Montenegros cooperation with competent authorities of the OSCE.

It was found that the long-standing continued dialogue at the top level between the two countries constituted good groundwork for the furtherance of bilateral cooperation, notably economic. The newly opened Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria is expected to make considerable contribution to such cooperation.

Prime Minister Djukanovic informed Minister Passy of socio-economic developments in the Republic and the activities of the Government and other state bodies on the implementation of reforms and system development in accordance with European standards. In addition, he acquainted Mr. Passy with the relations within the State Union and problems in its functioning.

Minister Passy gave recognition to Montenegro for the conducted reform processes and expressed understanding and support for the presented notions. He particularly supported Montenegro dedication to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In that respect, the conclusions of the EU ministerial meeting in Maastricht, recently confirmed at the meeting in Luxembourg, represent an important incentive for overcoming the standstill in the accession of the State Unions member states to the EU, in accordance with the twin track approach.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of regional stability and the settlement of contentious issues in the Western Balkans

As far as Montenegros relations with the OSCE are concerned, it was agreed that the cooperation between the Montenegrin Government and competent authorities and the OSCE bodies had been successfully effected through the OSCE offices in Belgrade and Podgorica. Its development and expansion is expected to take place through new projects.

It was mutually agreed that the past good relations and cooperation would not only be continued but further developed.

Minister Passy was accompanied by the OSCE Chief of Mission to Serbia-Montenegro, Ambassador Mauricio Massari.