DPM Filip Ivanović continues activities at the Munich Security Conference

On the second day of his stay in Munich, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović met with Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, with whom he discussed Montenegro’s progress in the European integration process, reaffirming that Montenegro remains the frontrunner in the negotiation process. The interlocutors agreed that a merit-based approach must remain the only credible framework for further advancement towards EU membership, which Montenegro is successfully fulfilling.

In talks with Petr Macinka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of European integration, infrastructure projects and economic cooperation. The Czech Republic expressed its readiness to continue providing expert and political support to Montenegro’s reform process, alongside strengthening institutional ties between the two countries.

During a meeting with Adis Ahmetović, Member of the German Bundestag and Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the Social Democratic parliamentary group, perspectives on the European Union’s enlargement policy and projections for Montenegro were discussed. Ahmetović expressed full support for Montenegro’s European path, highlighting it as the most advanced country in the enlargement process and emphasising the importance of preserving the credibility of the enlargement policy in the coming period.

Ivanović also met with Priti Patel, UK Shadow Foreign Secretary, with whom he exchanged views on the political and security situation in the Western Balkans and the role of the United Kingdom in global political processes.

Within the Conference programme, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović also attended the Ewald von Kleist Award ceremony, as well as the official dinner organised for participants of the Munich Security Conference, which traditionally provides an opportunity for informal meetings and exchange of views among high-level officials and forum participants.

On the margins of the Conference, Ivanović also held brief discussions on the second day with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna, the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon.