Ministers Spajić, Milatović: Croatia strongly supports Montenegro's European path

Minister of Finance and Social Welfare Milojko Spajić and Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović are paying an official visit to the Republic of Croatia, at the invitation of Croatian Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Zdravko Marić. The visit aims to further improve economic cooperation with Croatia, which strongly supports Montenegro's European path.

The Montenegrin Ministers met with Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia Tomislav Ćorić and Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Zdravko Marić. The Montenegrin Ministers will also meet with Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac and pay a visit to Croatian Telecom, Croatian power utility HEP, Croatian car manufacturer Rimac Automobili, the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Zagreb School of Economics and Management.

Minister Milatović noted that the new Government of Montenegro has a clear goal to accelerate the EU accession process, which has been relatively slow so far. Montenegro is, in fact, a leader in EU integration, but it was because it did not have certain geopolitical problems like other countries in the region. Montenegro has been negotiating with the EU for eight years, and all chapters are still open. Montenegro could have progressed much faster in that direction and this Government will complete the process started. The Economy Ministers agreed to meet with businesspeople from the two countries.

Minister Spajić emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership between the two countries, and thanked the Republic of Croatia for its support on the European path. He stressed that Montenegro and Croatia have been cooperating for many years in multilateral forums, as well as through a number of other projects aimed at strengthening fiscal sustainability and efficient management of public finances in accordance with the requirements of the European Union. The meeting discussed the current fiscal policy measures implemented by the Government aimed at strengthening the stability and sustainability of public finances. The hosts praised the extraordinary success achieved by the new budget and the projected deficit of only 3%.

Minister Ćorić wished the new Government of Montenegro to use these historical changes that have taken place in Montenegro, expressing Croatia's support. He expressed satisfaction with the friendly and open relations between the two countries. "In terms of support and assistance, the Republic of Croatia is at Montenegro's disposal. Approaching the EU brings a certain dynamic, but the fact that you are determined to accelerate the accession of the EU can only encourage positive comments from our side. We can always organise consultations on certain issues. Therefore, you can expect the support of both Croatia and the Ministry," said Minister Ćorić.

At the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Marić, Milatović said that he was very aware of the fact that both countries were facing a crisis that arose before the pandemic, and that it was a good idea to jointly look at the challenges and analyze economic development plans. "Montenegro wants to get acquainted with the business model of the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in order to see the possibility of adjusting the Investment and Development Fund to better contribute to the economic recovery, but also how to best use European funds to restructure the economy and construct infrastructure. In addition, this visit aims to inform businesspeople and entrepreneurs from Croatia about the vision of the new Government, in order to intensify business cooperation."

Furthermore, the meeting discussed the national recovery plan that Croatia is preparing.

Ministers Spajić and Milatović will meet with Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia Nikolina Brnjac tomorrow.