Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets European Parliament member and former Italian foreign minister Gianni De Michelis

Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic met in Podgorica with member of the European Parliament and former Italian foreign minister Gianni De Michelis.

The Prime Minister acquainted Mr. De Michelis with the current political and economic situation in Montenegro, describing political developments as stable and economic trends as very positive. This was substantiated by a rather long-standing macroeconomic stability of the country, characterized by an upward trend in all indicators of GDP growth and foreign investment, as well as a decline in budget deficit, inflation and unemployment. The Prime Minister pointed out that, in the next period, the Governments activities would focus on further reform of all segments of social life, additional economic growth and development, which would raise the standard of living of the population. In terms of foreign policy, priority would be given to quick European and Euro-Atlantic integration, meaning that, after the recent accession to NATOs Partnership for Peace Program, the conclusion of an Association and Stabilization Agreement with the European Union was expected soon, because, essentially, it was already finalized.

Referring to cooperation with the Republic of Italy, the Prime Minister stressed that good relationship and cooperation with that neighboring country, a member of the EU and NATO, was among Montenegros foreign policy priorities, both at a bilateral, and a regional and multilateral level. The current, considerable volume of visible trade should be accompanied by growing investment cooperation, using the existing opportunities and initiatives in the field of tourism and associated industries, as well as in agriculture, energy and environmental protection.

Mr. De Michelis emphasized that Italy, as a neighboring country, was interested in full integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union and, by the same token, in Montenegros effective progress towards the Union. In addition, he pointed out that it was in the interest of both countries to promote all aspects of cooperation, particularly economic, which was made possible with the restoration of Montenegros statehood. By exploiting the opportunities for cooperation, the existing bilateral relations would be promoted and raised to the level of historical tradition between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by President of the Trade Union Alliance of Montenegro Danilo Popovic, Chargé D'affaires of the Italian Embassy in Montenegro and President of the Institute for Developing Countries of the Italian Labor Union Bruno Bruni.