Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets UKs Non-Resident Ambassador to Montenegro David Gowan

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met in Podgorica today with UKs Non-Resident Ambassador to Montenegro David Gowan.

Ambassador Gowan conveyed his governments congratulants on the ruling coalitions success in the parliamentary and local elections in Montenegro. In view of the recently restored statehood, he expressed the view that Montenegro had a clear path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, which would be supported by Great Britain and the European Union as a whole.

Prime Minister Djukanovic thanked His Excellency for the congratulations and the British Governments prompt decision to recognize Montenegro as an independent and sovereign state, establish diplomatic relations with it and appoint an ambassador. He noted that Montenegro had made a considerable progress recently restoring its statehood, preserving its multi-ethnic community and strengthening economic stability and good neighborly relations. In the following period, focus should be placed on economic development, further strengthening of macroeconomic stability and quicker process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, above all, including the conclusion of a Stabilization and Association Agreement and joining NATOs Membership for Peace program by the end of the year. The new government, which is to be constituted by the end of the month, is facing an extensive agenda.

In discussion, it was concluded that bilateral relations and cooperation were being successfully developed. Joint activities in the area of customs and security cooperation were found to be particularly beneficial, helping develop Montenegros overall legal system in line with European standards. Both sides expressed readiness for further development of different forms of cooperation, above all in the field of economic relations.

In addition, reference was made to issues concerning relations and cooperation at the regional level. In that context, the Prime Minister said that the international community should help develop the regional infrastructure, in order for the available resources to be better exploited. That would help European standards to come to life in the region, which would strengthen the regions political, economic and social stability.