Ivanović meets with Nikoloski: Air Montenegro to launch direct air route to North Macedonia

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met earlier today with Aleksandar Nikoloski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of the Republic of North Macedonia. They discussed further strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, deepening bilateral cooperation and creating new opportunities for closer connectivity.

The establishment of a direct air route between Montenegro and North Macedonia, to be operated by the national airline Air Montenegro, was at the centre of the discussions. The two officials agreed that this initiative represents a significant step forward in improving transport connectivity between the two countries, as well as a tangible demonstration of their shared commitment to further strengthening friendly relations through projects that bring direct benefits to citizens and businesses.

It was emphasised that direct air connectivity will create new opportunities for the development of tourism exchanges, increased economic activity, closer ties between business communities and enhanced people-to-people contacts. In that regard, improved accessibility was recognised as an important prerequisite for more dynamic cooperation across numerous areas of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović stressed that relations between Montenegro and North Macedonia are based on mutual respect, trust and partnership, and that their continuous advancement contributes significantly to regional stability and connectivity, as well as to their shared European perspective. He underlined that the strength of good-neighbourly relations is reflected precisely in concrete initiatives and projects that go beyond the institutional framework of cooperation and create new opportunities for citizens, businesses and society as a whole.

The meeting particularly highlighted the broader significance of establishing a direct air route, noting that it represents not merely a new transport connection, but also an additional link between the two friendly countries, their institutions, economies and citizens. They voiced expectation that the new route would encourage more frequent mutual visits, more intensive exchanges of experience and the launch of new joint initiatives, thus further strengthening the substance and quality of the bilateral partnership.

Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Ministers Ivanović and Nikoloski held a joint press conference, during which they presented the key messages of their discussions and highlighted the importance of improving transport infrastructure.

The Montenegrin delegation, in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Filip Ivanović, included Montenegro’s Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia Zoran Miljanić, Deputy Prime Minister’s Adviser Milica Šljivančanin, Adviser at the Embassy of Montenegro Velimir Šljivančanin; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Montenegro Tihomir Dragaš, and Chief Executive Officer of the national airline To Montenegro Vukadin Stojanović.

The delegation of the Republic of North Macedonia, in addition to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, included his Chief of Staff Dimitar Mančev, State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport Stefan Volkanovski, National Tourism Coordinator Akan Mahmut; and Deputy Prime Minister’s Adviser Magdalena Ćurilov.