Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets newly appointed German Ambassador to Montenegro Thomas Schmidt

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met in Podgorica today with the newly appointed ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro, Mr Thomas Schmidt.

During the meeting both sides expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and cooperation, based on a continued high-level political dialogue and frequent contacts between representatives of government departments and business associations.

Having welcomed Mr Schmidt, as the first resident ambassador to the Republic of Montenegro, Prime Minister Djukanovic expressed appreciation to the German government for prompt recognition of Montenegros independence and establishment of diplomatic relations, followed by the opening of the embassy and appointment of the ambassador, which demonstrated the quality of relations between the two countries. He availed himself of the opportunity to thank the Federal Republic of Germany for the support provided to Montenegro on a bilateral basis through various forms of multilateral cooperation, in developing a market-based economic system in Montenegro. The Prime Minister identified further exploitation of tourism resources, development of necessary infrastructure, regulation of the water supply system, wastewater treatment, power supply and encouragement of SME development conducive to employment growth as areas of particular interest for further development of bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister informed Ambassador Schmidt that the Governments activities in the following period would focus on economic development and further strengthening of macroeconomic stability, as well as quicker European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In that context, he noted that the Government expected to sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU and join NATOs Partnership for Peace Program by the end of the year.

Ambassador Schmidt expressed satisfaction at the reception he met with in Montenegro and the countrys readiness for cooperation. He also expressed confidence that good results in bilateral cooperation would be further improved in the following period, since there was interest and readiness for that on both sides, emphasizing that budgetary support would be increasingly replaced by development plans and programs based on economic principles. The Ambassador said that Germany strongly supported the realization of Montenegros European perspective and its progress towards European and transatlantic integration, i.e. accession to the European Union and NATO.

Wishing His Excellency every success in his future work, the Prime Minister emphasized that Montenegros authorities and institutions were ready to provide all the support necessary for successful operation of the Embassy, in order to further develop relations and cooperation between the two countries.