Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets British Ambassador David Gowan

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica British Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro David Gowan, who is paying an official visit to our Republic.

The talks focused on the current situation and prospects for the promotion of bilateral relations and cooperation, the relations within the State Union and current developments in the Western Balkans.

It was mutually agreed that the level of bilateral relations and cooperation was satisfactory and that there were prospects for their further development in different fields. Gowan stressed that British partners showed keen interest in developing different forms of cooperation, notably economic. Notable results are to be expected in the field of oil and gas exploration, i.e. from the activities of RAMCO Company in the coastal area. He placed particular emphasis on fruitful cooperation in justice, home affairs and customs service.

Prime Minister Djukanovic acquainted his guest with the current political and economic situation in Montenegro, the results of socio-economic reforms and the attained level of macroeconomic stability. In addition, he informed Ambassador Gowan of the relations in the State Union, problems in its operation and his vision of future relations between the member states. In that regard the Prime Minister stressed that Montenegro should no longer suffer the consequences of the other member states refusal to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal, which particularly affected the process of Euro-Atlantic integration.

The two officials observed that the implementation of the conclusions of the EU ministerial meeting held in Maastricht, confirmed at the Luxembourg meeting, would accelerate the process of separate accession of Serbia and Montenegro to the Union.

It was mutually agreed that this visit would be an incentive to further understanding and development of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.