Krivokapić, Hyoung-chan Choe: Economic cooperation should be improved

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić hosted today the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Montenegro, H. E. Hyoung-chan Choe.

Prime Minister Krivokapić expressed satisfaction that after his visit to Japan, an important East Asian friend and partner, he had the opportunity to host an official of another East Asian country that nurtures traditionally good relations with Montenegro. PM Krivokapić expressed personal admiration for the Korean national defence system against the COVID-19 pandemic, respect for the role that the Republic of Korea has in strengthening global solidarity, humanity and support for peoples and countries affected by the pandemic, and gratitude for two valuable donations that Korea sent to Montenegro.

Prime Minister Krivokapić expressed gratitude, but also regret that the donation and assistance to the Airports of Montenegro was perceived as a potential conflict of interest, and for that reason was not made, but also hope that there will be similar donations in the future.

The Prime Minister of Montenegro pointed out that activities on contract consolidation will be intensified, through negotiations on concluding a bilateral Agreement on Economic Cooperation, in order to create an adequate legal framework for strengthening cooperation in specific economic areas.

We are pleased that the Republic of Korea is interested in cooperation with Montenegro in the field of renewable energy sources, in the sector of railway transport and supporting infrastructure, as well as in challenging concession and development projects concerning Montenegrin airports. Our intention is to turn Montenegro into a large construction site in 2022, said Krivokapić.

Prime Minister Krivokapić also pointed to the strategic similarity that exists between the programmes of the two governments that rely primarily on digital transformation and green economy, and that Montenegro is interested in accepting the Republic of Korea's rich expert experience in implementing projects and business plans in these areas, as well as to achieve significant cooperation in the field of youth education so that they could improve their skills in Korea.

Ambassador Hyoung-chan Choe thanked the Prime Minister of Montenegro for the warm welcome, expressing his respect and gratitude that Montenegro has not forgotten the support and assistance of the Republic of Korea.

When it comes to concessions for Montenegrin airports, I want to emphasise that our corporation that is interested in this concession is one of the leading in the world dealing with airports, and in terms of cooperation in education, I will gladly recommend to the Government of my country to sent an invitation to young, talented people from Montenegro to continue their education and professional training in the Republic of Korea, said Hyoung-chan.

Ambassador Hyoung-chan Choe also said that Korea hopes that the Agreement on Economic Cooperation will be completed and signed soon, but until that happens, he does not see any obstacles that would hinder cooperation in the economy, trade, education and investments between Montenegro and the Republic of Korea.

Our bilateral relations are constantly improving in all areas. We have no open issues. Especially in the field of economy, digitalisation and IT sector, we have a lot of space for cooperation, but also when it comes to the ecological approach to production and business, said Ambassador Hyoung-chan Choe.