Abazović at SEECP in New York: Montenegro remains committed to strengthening regional relations and enhancing cooperation, infrastructure and joint projects in focus

Prime Minister and acting Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dritan Abazović participated today in a working breakfast with foreign ministers from the participating states of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), on the sidelines of the third day of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

The meeting was hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, as Skopje assumed the one-year presidency of this process in July, succeeding Montenegro.

The Prime Minister highlighted that SEECP represents one of the most important frameworks for regional cooperation in Southeast Europe. On this occasion, he reiterated Montenegro's readiness to support the priorities set during Skopje's presidency of this process.

We are encouraged by the clear messages from the Bled Strategic Forum, which set a concrete timeframe for both member states and candidate countries to prepare for the enlargement process, which is 2030, emphasized Abazović.

Prime Minister Abazović stressed that Montenegro is determined to meet the required criteria ahead of schedule, with a continued focus on transformation in the areas of the rule of law and the fight against organized crime and corruption. This, he said, will determine the pace of our negotiations, and therefore, we will continue to emphasize the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening the legal framework.

He reminded that Montenegro placed European integration at the center of its presidency, which concluded on 30 June this year, contributing to a better understanding between SEECP participants who are EU members and aspirants for membership, as well as raising awareness of the need for regional support to accelerate the European integration process, both in terms of implementing reforms and political advocacy, and promoting the European perspective of the entire region.

Participants in the meeting emphasized the importance of regional connectivity and joint infrastructure projects, as well as the significance of better utilizing the Berlin Process initiative.

In addition to the foreign ministers of SEECP member states, the working breakfast was attended by the US special envoy, Gabriel Escobar.