Government delegation visits Tuscany

A delegation of the Government of Montenegro, comprising Deputy Prime Minister Srđan Pavićević, President of the Government Commission for Enhancing Relations between Montenegro and Italy, and Minister of Health Vojislav Šimun, along with their associates, is currently paying an official visit to Italy.

The visit commenced with a meeting with Italian Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, discussing opportunities to enhance and improve Montenegro's healthcare system through collaboration with leading healthcare institutions in Italy, as well as potential collaboration and support from Italy in implementing key infrastructure projects in Montenegro.

Subsequently, the delegation visited the University Clinic Meyer in the Tuscany Region, a highly specialized pediatric institution and national referral center for pediatrics of the highest complexity. The tour of the clinic, guided by Director of the Global Health Center Maria Jose Caldes, showcased its scientific research activities, treatment, and rehabilitation of children and adolescents up to adulthood, with a focus on comprehensive care. The Montenegrin delegation was particularly impressed by the organization and integration of systems providing the highest level of medical care and services for young patients and their families.

Following this, a series of meetings with senior officials of the Tuscany Region were held, accompanied by our honorary consul, Alessandro Giannantia.

In the first of these meetings, Deputy Prime Minister Srđan Pavićević met with President of Tuscany's Council Antonio Mazzeo. In an open and constructive dialogue, they agreed on ample opportunities to intensify relations between Tuscany and Montenegro, with a special focus on trade, tourism, industry, arts, and culture.

At the suggestion of the host, President of Tuscany's Council Antonio Mazzeo, DPM Pavićević addressed Tuscany's Council. In his address, he recalled his subspecialization in Italy, which left him with fond memories and strong ties, qualifying him for the position of Montenegro's government envoy for cooperation with Italy.

Meetings with other officials of the Tuscany Region followed.

DPM Srđan Pavićević met with Vice President and Minister of Tuscany Region for agri food sector Stefania Saccardi, discussing modalities for strengthening cooperation between Tuscany and Montenegro in agriculture, with a focus on knowledge exchange among producers and the development of agritourism.

During discussions with Francesco Tapinassi, President of the Tuscany Investment Agency, models for promoting tourism in the Tuscany Region and frameworks for cooperation with other Mediterranean and European countries were presented. In this context, modes of collaboration and tourist exchange between Tuscany and Montenegro were explored based on contemporary supply and demand.

A meeting with Regional Minister for International Relations Alessandra Nardini focused on university cooperation, highlighting the possibility of thematic meetings to enhance collaboration with higher education institutions in Montenegro, particularly aimed at student exchange and the application of European standards in Montenegro's higher education system.

The visit concluded with a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Srđan Pavićević and President of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani. Impressions were summarized, and priority areas for cooperation between the two countries were clearly identified. The participants fully agreed that shared values embodied in Mediterranean culture and the beauty of life connect Tuscany and Montenegro, making them recognizable destinations globally and natural partners in the Mediterranean.

As previously stated, the aim of this three-day visit is to establish direct and open channels of continuous communication with Italy, a founding member of the EU, which strongly supports EU enlargement. Additionally, the visit aims to build a strategic partnership towards Montenegro's EU membership, a primary foreign policy priority of the Montenegrin Government. It also seeks collaboration and support from Italy in implementing crucial infrastructure projects in Montenegro, with a particular emphasis on labour, education, healthcare, and social policies.