Ivanović meets with Bulgarian Foreign Minister: Bulgaria reaffirms strong support for Montenegro’s European path

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs Dr Filip Ivanović met today in Sofia with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Velislava Petrova-Chamova, with whom he discussed Montenegro’s European path, Bulgaria’s strong support for the enlargement process, and further strengthening relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Petrova-Chamova particularly commended the results achieved by Montenegro in the European integration process, stressing that Montenegro demonstrates that when there is clear political will and commitment, results follow. She noted that Montenegro confirms that the accession process works when there is a clear commitment to reforms and consistent fulfilment of the relevant criteria.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister described Montenegro’s progress as impressive and highlighted Montenegro as an example in the enlargement process. In this context, she expressed the expectation that the same level of political will and commitment to reforms would also be demonstrated by other candidate countries. She stressed that Montenegro can continue to count on Bulgaria and its support in the next stage of its European path.

Ivanović expressed his gratitude for Bulgaria’s strong support and stressed his expectation that it would be further strengthened in the period ahead. He underlined that Montenegro would like Bulgaria to be among the strongest advocates of its European path and the EU enlargement policy, particularly given the importance of support from EU Member States during the final stage of the accession process.

He stressed that Montenegro aims to demonstrate its European path as a success story of the enlargement process, underlining that enlargement is one of the European Union’s most important policies and that the European project cannot be complete without the integration of the Western Balkan countries.

The interlocutors expressed their readiness to further strengthen the traditionally close and friendly relations between Montenegro and Bulgaria, with particular interest in developing economic cooperation and strengthening ties between the business communities of the two countries.

In this context, they discussed intensifying cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce of Montenegro and Bulgaria as an important mechanism for connecting companies, developing business contacts, and creating opportunities for new investments and joint projects.

It was agreed that contacts would continue to be intensified in the period ahead, alongside the implementation of concrete initiatives of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović also met with members of the Bulgaria–Montenegro Friendship Group in the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, with whom he discussed further strengthening parliamentary cooperation and ties between the two countries.