Support of France as a wind in the back to the reform efforts of Montenegro: Signed Agreement on Cooperation with French Development Agency

Three day visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs to Paris has ended by meeting with Clement Beaune, State Secretary for European Affairs in the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, where the Agreement on Cooperation with French Development Agency was signed, which presence in the Western Balkans is extraordinary opportunity for developing concrete cooperation between that country and our Region, Head of Montenegrin Diplomacy stated.

“Encouraging messages of France, as eminent EU member, for us are of crucial importance, where we particularly appreciate commitment of our French partners to the economic progress of the Western Balkans. In addition to that speaks signing the Agreement with which is planned that the French Development Agency start activities through project worth 50 million euros, in our country, in this year. This fact represents clear signal of French commitment”, Minister Radulović said.

State Secretary for European Affairs Beaune expressed the pleasure with meeting with Minister Radulović. “France wants to strengthen bilateral relations with Montenegro, and we will do that thanks to Agreement with French Development Agency, which will enable us to increase investments. We discussed on manners through which we will empower our joint work and solidarity, within the European framework. We will do that even in the areas that are challenging in this moment, such as bilateral medical help”.  

Minister Radulović stressed the significance of support of the Republic of France to the integration process of our country. In that context, he emphasized readiness of Montenegro to, particularly in the period of French presiding over the EU in the first half of the next year, intensify cooperation that will result with pace on the European path in our case, while for France it would represent symbol of Union's open door and importance of the EU agenda in complex geo-political circumstances.

Head of Montenegrin diplomacy clearly stressed message about Montenegrin determination to create all pre-conditions through dynamic reforms, particularly in the rule of law, for our country to become first next member of the EU. Speaking about negotiation methodology, that is dominantly shaped with French positions, he stated that Montenegro is resolute to implement it on the best possible way and that believes that France will remain our partner and friend on that path.

In that context, State Secretary Beaune stated that perspective of the Western Balkans in the EU is unquestionable, so that new methodology has an emphasized political dimension. He explained that in that regard France supports holding of intergovernmental conferences, and first one will be during the Portuguese presiding over EU Council in June. French official pointed out that his country wants to be more active in Montenegro through enhancing defense, culture and economic cooperation, so that is planning visit to our country.

Minister Radulović added that, besides realized alliance in the NATO, for Montenegro neighborhood policy at the Western Balkans is key. In that regard, he emphasized successful presiding over the Central European Initiative, while stating readiness for closer cooperation with France within Union for Mediterranean.

As prior trade activity, tourism was topic of this meeting in Paris. Radulović stated that we are interested for more intensive promotion of Montenegro as attractive destination for French tourist, while reminding that in 2019. more than 100.000 French visited our country, so that key moment of our economic recovery is renovation of tourism connections exactly.

While particularly stating that, because of tax rates, Montenegro is very interesting and extremely attractive address for French small and medium enterprises, Head of Montenegrin diplomacy invited French investors in the area of hospitality, renewable energy and environment protection to consider advantages of investing to our country.

During the meeting of officials, the interest for continuing political meetings between two ministries of foreign affairs has been reiterated, as a confirmation of good bilateral relations that will, as Radulović resumed, get their full valorization in trade and economic, tourism, educational, defense, cultural and sport dimension.

“At the end, I want to express the pleasure with three days visit to France, that in the challenging times, represents wind in the back to our reform efforts, also as stimulation to the European path and further development of Montenegro” Montenegrin Foreign Minister concluded.

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