Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets Slovakian Ambassador in Belgrade Igor Furdik

Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic met in Podgorica today with Ambassador of the Republic of Slovakia in Belgrade Igor Furdik, as part of Mr Furdiks working visit to Montenegro.

Relations between the two countries were described as being characterized by an intense dialogue at a high political level, which was said to be a good basis for the development of different forms of cooperation, particularly in the area of economic relations. By the same token, it was noted that an exchange of visits by economic delegations would be highly desirable in the next period.

Prime Minister Sturanovic informed His Excellency of the political and economic situation in the process of comprehensive reforms in Montenegro, as well as with the long-standing macroeconomic stability resulting in a large inflow of foreign direct investment and an upward trend in other indicators of economic growth.

He pointed out that the Governments main priority was to step up the process of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, until full membership of the European Union and NATO. In that context, he noted that the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement was expected soon after its initialing, accompanied by further activities related to NATOs Partnership for Peace Program. The Prime Minister emphasized that closer cooperation with Slovakia in that respect would have an additional significance for Montenegro, having in mind its accelerated progress towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, in which Slovakia was ready to share the knowledge and experience it had acquired.

The Prime Minister used the opportunity to thank Slovakia and its high diplomatic representatives for the important role they had in securing the democratic course of the referendum on Montenegros state status.

Ambassador Furdik informed the Prime Minister of his Governments readiness to finance, from Slovakias aid program, certain development projects in Montenegro, which was welcomed by the Prime Minister.

Both sides expressed interest in continuing a permanent dialogue and development of bilateral cooperation, to which this visit by the Slovakian Ambassadors should be a contribution.