Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets Czech Ambassador Ivan Jestrab

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica with Czech Ambassador to the State Union Ivan Jelstrab, who is making an official visit to Montenegro.

During the discussion it was agreed that, in their bilateral relations, the two countries had demonstrated a high level of understanding through continued political dialogue, accompanied by an increasing interest in different forms of cooperation, particularly economic. This trend is particularly marked in the area of power industry and the reconstruction of railway infrastructure, with good implementation prospects, as well as in the field of tourism and associated industries, where Czechs traditionally demonstrated their interest. In that context, Ambassador announced that, in order to promote business cooperation and tourist exchange, the Czech Government had decided to abolish visa fees for Serbia and Montenegro citizens. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for such initiative.

Prime Minister Djukanovic reiterated that Montenegros main foreign policy priorities included European and Euro-Atlantic integration, i.e. accession to European Union and North Atlantic Alliance. In that context, the Ambassador pointed out that the Czech Republic, as a EU and NATO member, was ready to support Montenegros efforts and to share its experiences and expertise obtained in the process of transition and integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures and announced that a delegation of the European Integration Committee of the Czech Parliaments upper and lower houses would soon visit Montenegro.

Referring to Montenegros efforts to achieve full independence, Ambassador Jestrab stressed that the Czech Government would support any solution the two members states of the State Union reach by mutual consent, including the choice Montenegrin citizens make in a democratic procedure in accordance with international standards.

Both parties expressed their faith in developing political dialogue and different forms of cooperation.