Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) met Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović in Bratislava on Tuesday to discuss closer bilateral economic cooperation, current European policy issues and the situation in the Western Balkans.
Milatović also met House Chair Richard Raši (Hlas-SD), with their talks revolving around bilateral relations, the development of inter-parliamentary dialogue, support for Montenegro's efforts to join the European Union, opportunities to bolster economic cooperation and mutual coordination
According to Fico, the Slovak government is interested in harnessing the potential for cooperation in areas including energy, transport infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. "We have excellent companies and experience in the IT sector and in smart cities, and we're ready to help you with digitisation as well," Fico declared. He also welcomed Montenegro's plans to open a diplomatic mission in Bratislava.
A key issue of the meeting was the enlargement of the European Union to include Western Balkan countries. Slovakia supports Montenegro's path towards EU membership. "We fully support your primary foreign policy goal, embodied in the slogan '28 by 2028', and your ambition to become the EU's next member state by 2028. Montenegro has a historic opportunity," Fico underlined.
During his meeting, Raši highlighted the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries and congratulated Milatović on this year's 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin statehood. "Our countries are bound by longstanding friendly ties with no outstanding issues, giving us excellent scope to focus on productive and concrete cooperation in several areas of common interest," Raši said.
Particular attention was paid to EU enlargement. The House Chair reaffirmed Slovakia's full and lasting support for Montenegro's integration ambitions and its goal of successfully completing the accession process. "Slovakia firmly supports Montenegro's European future. Montenegro has a real and historic opportunity to fulfil its main foreign policy motto, '28 by 2028', and become the European Union's 28th member state. I believe Montenegro will manage to maintain its pace of reforms, overcome divisive issues and successfully complete the necessary reforms," Raši declared. In his view, the membership of Western Balkan countries will provide a new impetus for the EU.
The Western Balkans is one of the priorities of Slovak foreign policy, also because of its strategic importance for the security and stability of Europe as a whole. Slovakia is a strong supporter of the region's European integration. "Enlargement is one of the EU's most successful policies, bringing peace, stability and prosperity to member states. Without the Western Balkans, the EU enlargement project is not complete, and the enlargement agenda must remain among the European Union's main priorities," Fico said, adding that membership criteria must be clearly defined and fair to ensure the credibility of the accession process.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also thanked the Montenegrin President for supporting Slovakia's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-2029 term. "Slovakia considers it essential that the views of small states, which are key stakeholders in the United Nations, are reflected in the decision-making process of the UN Security Council. Slovakia will represent the voices of these countries," Fico added.
Source: TASR
