Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet

Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic had talks in Podgorica today with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet as part of Mr Paets official visit to Montenegro.

Prime Minister Sturanovic expressed his appreciation Estonias support and constructive attitude during and after the referendum process in Montenegro. Estonia was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Montenegro and Mrs Karin Jaani was the first ambassador to present letters of credence.

The Prime Minister welcomed Estonias strong commitment to EU enlargement. By the same token, he emphasized the importance of an individual approach to the Western Balkans countries, depending on their progress in adopting EU standards. Also, he noted the importance of acquiring Estonian experiences and standards in European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes, as the know-how of a small country but one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. Cooperation in the field of European integration should be intensified and promoted through cooperation within international organizations and institutions.

It was agreed that the process of integration was as important as its results and that the Western Balkans had to have a clear prospect of European future. Having informed his guest of the Governments priorities concerning Montenegros European and Euro-Atlantic agenda and the issues concerning its socio-economic development, the Prime Minister stressed that it was necessary to continue and finalize reform activities in order to achieve a significant improvement in the populations living standards as soon as possible.

In discussion, it was agreed that there was an upward trend in relations between the two countries, both in terms of strengthening political dialogue and in terms of promoting other forms of cooperation, to which the current visit by the Estonian Foreign Minister as well as the official visit by Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves scheduled for November this year would give an additional incentive. The forthcoming meeting between the two countries businesspeople was recognized as a good model for promoting the opportunities for economic cooperation, notably in tourism, and boosting investment. Both sides expect the EU and Estonia, as its member state, to continue to play a constructive role in regional developments in the Balkans, aimed at achieving its long-term stability, security and prosperity.