The Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović received today, in separate meetings Joost Reintjes, Agnese Kalnina, and Dimitros Teofilaktu, newly appointed, ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Latvia, and the Republic of Cyprus in Montenegro on a non-residential basis.

During a meeting with the ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Montenegro, with a residence in Belgrade, impressions have been exchanged about interior conditions and policies of the two countries. Due to severe bad weather which struck Western Europe, Minister Radulović expressed solidarity with the peoples of the Netherlands.

The head of Montenegrin diplomacy pointed that the pillars of our foreign policy are NATO membership, regional cooperation, emphasizing the importance of Netherlands support in achieving the crucial goal - membership in the EU, which is wanted by more than 80 percent of our citizens. Although our citizens strive for the improvement of the living standard, as he pointed, the greatest motive for a support this high for the European idea are the values of the political West where we belong.

In that context he pointed out that his first official visits were to Germany and France, where he met with Heiko Maas and Clement Beaune. Also, he indicated that, lead by european aspirations, we plan to open an Embassy in the Netherlands, with a residence in Hague.

Ambassador Reintjes assessed the intensification of economic cooperation as important, expressing readiness of his country to connect Montenegro with credible Dutch investors. He singled out tourism and education as interesting fields in which the two countries could establish cooperation, pointing that Netherlands is an ideal place for our students’ education.

He expressed his belief that relations between the two countries will be additionally improved during his term. Both sides expressed readiness for the intensification of a political dialogue and an exchange of visits at the highest level.

In conversation with the ambassador of Latvia Kalnina he assessed that the two states have good and friendly relations, whereby was expressed readiness by both sides for an improvement of cooperation in the fields of economy, security and culture. In line with that, they praised the participation of our troops in NATO mission in Latvia, which contributes the strengthening of an alliance and the defense cooperation within the Alliance.

Minister Radulović congratulated the ambassador for taking her office and reminded her of his recent meeting with the head of Latvian diplomacy Edgars Rinkēvičs in Dubrovnik, with whom he had a fruitful and constructive talk. In that line, the organization of a meeting on the ministerial level was recommended, which would contribute to the strengthening of a political dialogue and a chance to perceive additional possibilities for an improvement of the interstate cooperation.

Speaking of current questions regarding the pandemic, the ambassador Kalnina expressed readiness of Latvia to help with the acquisition of vaccines if our country would need it. They agreed about importance of the economic recovery, as well as dynamizing the European path of Montenegro, whereby the undoubtful support of Latvia to our foreign policy’s priority was expressed.

Minister Radulović stated that Montenegro is determined in the fight against corruption and organized crime, pointing out that we need stimulus by EU member countries in that context, so that our membership perspective would be more certain.

During the meeting, opinions have been exchanged about the importance of the Three Seas initiative, a political platform on the line Baltic-Adriatic-Black sea, especially in the domain of a better infrastructural connection between European countries. Ambassador Kalnina expressed readiness to contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations through initiation of joint activities during her term

In his conversation with the ambassador of Cyprus, they assessed that organizing official visits of the ministers would be a chance to concretize areas of cooperation between the two countries through conclusion of agreements in domains of defense, military cooperation, new technologies, science and education. The interlocutors expressed the importance of connecting the business and academic communities of Montenegro and Cyprus and creating a favorable investment ambiance. Ambassador Teofilaktu said that the Western Balkans region represents a new market for Cypriot investors, so it is important to additionally promote potential investment areas.

Speaking of European integration, minister Radulović stated that we appreciate political and expert support of Cyprus, which is important in the next faze of negotiations. The multilateral cooperation, which is reflected international support for membership in international organizations bodies was commonly praised. They agreed to continue intensive communication regarding the strengthening of political dialogue and the realization of common projects.