Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets Slovenian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chair Dimitrij Rupel

Today in Podgorica, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic played host to Slovenian Foreign Minster and OSCE Chair Dimitrij Rupel who is making an official visit to Montenegro.

During the talks, views were exchanged on various issues of bilateral relations and cooperation, current developments in Montenegro, relations within the State Union, and situation in the Western Balkans.

Years of continued top-level dialogue between the two countries were said to form a good basis for effective development of different forms of bilateral cooperation, which had been increasing notably, particularly in the economic field.

The Prime Minister acquainted Minister Rupel with the current political and economic situation in the Republic, reform processes and the level of macroeconomic stability, as the preconditions for more rapid association with international economic trends and the inflow of foreign investment.

In particular, he informed his guest of the relations within the State Union and Montenegros proposal for the rearrangement of those relations, in accordance with the provisions of the Belgrade Agreement and the Constitutional Charter.

Minister Rupel gave credit to the Government of Montenegro for the undertaken reform and expressed strong sympathy and support for the presented views, particularly for Montenegros firm commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic trends. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of strengthening the stability and democratic resolution of outstanding issues in the Western Balkans.

Referring to cooperation between government authorities and the OSCE bodies, it was agreed that such cooperation had been fruitful owing to the activities of the OSCEs Belgrade and Podgorica offices, expressing optimism that it would be promoted and enriched with new contents. The OSCE is expected to make considerable contribution to the settlement of Montenegros statehood status.

Minister Rupel was accompanied by representatives of Bulgaria and Belgium, the previous and succeeding OSCE chairs.