Minister Radulović and Secretary General Antonione: Montenegro is realizing goals of presidency over Central European Initiative

Montenegro is successfully presiding over Central European Initiative for the second time in a row, and it is committed to achieving key goals related to connectivity, environment protection and science cooperation, despite the pandemic, as well as on economic and health recovery of the region – as been appraised on today’s meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović with CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione.  

Minister Radulović appraised that Montenegrin presidency over CEI, that exists more than thirty years, creates synergy between regional initiatives and international organizations. On that line, he announced the Initiative ministerial meeting in June, that will good opportunity for exchange of opinions on the most important topics.

Regional cooperation is one of the key pillars of foreign policy, and Region belongs to the Europe. European integration and regional initiatives are going hand to hand; therefore, it is important to achieve visible results for citizens – Head of Montenegrin diplomacy stated. In that context, he announced organizing business forums in December, so business communities can consider concrete cooperation projects and development of member states of the Initiative.

Secretary General Antonione appraised two-years presiding of Montenegro, that in history of the Initiative, is happening for the first time, evaluating that this is the signal that member states appreciate our country and have great expectations.

Role of Montenegro in the regional cooperation is very important. CEI Secretariat is ready to provide full support to the Montenegro, and your success in the presiding represents also the Initiative’s success, Antonione stated. He appraised that forthcoming Ministerial meeting will be significant platform for discussion on EU enlargement policy, therefore stressed the importance of direct contact. He emphasized that Italy, country he comes from, is ready to support ideas that will improve CEI mission and contribute to the successful presiding.

The importance of political and economic dimension of CEI has been jointly stressed, thus agreed continuation of intensive communication in achieving presidency’s priorities.