Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets Greek ambassador Christos Panagopoulos

Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic met in Podgorica today with Ambassador of the Republic of Greece Christos Panagopoulos, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro.

Ambassador Panagopoulos used the opportunity to present a letter of congratulations from Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Mr Sturanovics appointment to the office. Ambassador Costas said that Greece appreciated Montenegros achievements in economic development and socioeconomic reform and supported its efforts towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic met in Podgorica today with Ambassador of the Republic of Greece Christos Panagopoulos, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro.

Ambassador Panagopoulos used the opportunity to present a letter of congratulations from Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Mr Sturanovics appointment to the office. Ambassador Costas said that Greece appreciated Montenegros achievements in economic development and socioeconomic reform and supported its efforts towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Greece is ready to provide all the support necessary during that process and share useful experiences since, as a country of the region that had successfully completed all stages of international integration, it was well aware of the requirements and expectations of its neighbors and other close countries.

Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the meeting had taken place and asked His Excellency to convey his thanks to Prime Minister Karamanlis for the congratulations. He informed his guest that the Governments priorities for the next period would include the reinforcement of political and macroeconomic stability, acceleration of economic development and socioeconomic reform at all levels.

In terms of foreign policy, efforts will be focused on quicker European and Euro-Atlantic integration, in order to sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union and joint NATOs Partnership for Peace Program by the end of the year, which the Ambassador supported. The final goal is to gain full membership of the European Union and NATO.

Having thanked the Prime Minister for the valuable and comprehensive information, Ambassador Costas pointed out that his government followed developments in Montenegro and the rest of the region with great attention and was interested in supporting activities aimed at realizing common interests and strategic goals.

Satisfaction was expressed with the development of traditional friendship, observing that the potentials for bilateral cooperation had not been fully exhausted and that there was room, as well as readiness, for its further development in different areas. By the same token, it was agreed that, after the restoration of Montenegros statehood, conditions had been created for a general expansion of relations and that the announced establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level and the opening of embassies would provide the necessary basis for the development of different forms of bilateral cooperation. Both sides expressed interest and readiness to make arrangements for a meeting between the two countries prime ministers.

The Consul General of Republic of Greece in Podgorica, Nikolaos Kaimenakis, attended the meeting.