Italy

Relations between Montenegro and the Republic of Italy are traditionally friendly, accompanied by substantive and intensive cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels, as well as through a strategic partnership within NATO, further strengthened by intensive dialogue at the highest political and operative level.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

The Italian Republic recognized the independence of Montenegro on June 14, 2006, when diplomatic relations were established.

Montenegro in the Republic of Italy is represented by the Plenipotentiary Minister Counsellor - Chargé d'Affaires, Mr Miroslav Šćepanović.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Montenegro is Luca Zelioli (he took office on March 29, 2018).

OFFICIAL VISITS 

The President of Montenegro Mr Milo Đukanović paid an official visit to the Republic of Italy, 24-25 July 2018.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs prof. dr Srdjan Darmanovic paid an official visit to Italy, 13-15 February 2017.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Ivan Brajović paid a working visit to the Republic of Italy, 10-11 January 2017

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy Mr Paolo Gentiloni, paid an official visit to Montenegro on July 30, 2015.

The President of the Republic of Italy  Mr Sergio Mattarella paid an official visit to Montenegro on May 26, 2015.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy Mr Silvio Berlusconi paid an official visit to Montenegro on March 16, 2009.

The President of Montenegro Mr Filip Vujanović paid an official visit to Italy on July 21, 2016.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS 

In the period January-October 2020, the total trade between Montenegro and Italy amounted to EUR 122.21 million (exports 7.84; imports 114.37). According to preliminary data, trade in 2019 amounted to EUR 196.4 million (exports 11.3; imports 185.1). In 2018, compared to the previous two years, trade increased by EUR 203.84 million with exports amounting to EUR 13.86 million and imports EUR 189.98 million.

The total influx of foreign direct investments from Italy to Montenegro in the period January - September 2020 amounted to EUR 43.43 million. In 2019, investments from Italy amounted to EUR 6.7 million. In 2018, investments from Italy scored the first place in the most significant foreign investments in Montenegro, while in 2017 and 2016 they were in the second and third place respectively (in 2018 they amounted to EUR 116.7 million, which is an increase compared to the EUR 78.5 million in 2017 or 50,6 in 2016.

In 2019, Montenegro was visited by 26,424 tourists, amounting to 68,367 overnight stays. In 2018, Montenegro was visited by 37,602 tourists from Italy, amounting to 129,921 overnight stays, which is an increase in the number of tourists and a decrease in the number of overnight stays compared to 2017, when Montenegro was visited by a total of 35,525 tourists from Italy, amounting to 142,410 overnight stays.