Ivanović, Shahavdinov: Montenegro and Uzbekistan committed to strengthening political and economic cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met today with the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Montenegro, based in Budapest, Oybek Shakhavdinov. The interlocutors reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening friendly relations and intensifying political dialogue, noting that there is considerable potential for expanding bilateral cooperation across numerous areas of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral relations, emphasizing that the signing of the Memorandum on Consultations and Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, marked an important step forward in strengthening institutional cooperation and political dialogue.

Particular attention was devoted to economic relations between the two countries. The interlocutors agreed that there is significant scope for enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, tourism, the agri-food and textile industries, healthcare, the pharmaceutical sector, information technologies and digitalisation. In this context, they discussed the possibility of establishing a Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation and organising a business forum to strengthen ties between the business communities of the two countries. Speaking about tourism cooperation, the interlocutors noted that direct flights between the two countries represent an important contribution to improved connectivity and increased tourism exchanges. It was highlighted that more than 2,000 tourists from Uzbekistan visited Montenegro in 2025, with further potential for strengthening cooperation between tourism organisations and tour operators.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović stressed that Montenegro, as the most advanced candidate for European Union membership, closely follows the development of the partnership between the European Union and Uzbekistan, expressing confidence that stronger relations between Tashkent and Brussels would further contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation with Montenegro. He also underlined the importance of aligning Montenegro's visa policy with that of the European Union.

The meeting also covered cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture, with both sides expressing the expectation that a bilateral agreement in these areas would be concluded in the near future. Particular emphasis was placed on intensifying exchanges of students, experts and cultural programmes, as well as strengthening cooperation between the scientific research and educational institutions of the two countries.

Ambassador Shakhavdinov also discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of security, including cooperation between police academies and forensic institutions, noting that there is mutual interest in developing concrete projects in these areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović also highlighted the importance of appointing an Honorary Consul of Montenegro in Uzbekistan, noting that this would contribute to stronger economic, cultural and institutional ties between the two countries.

Ambassador Shakhavdinov thanked Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović for the warm welcome and stressed that Uzbekistan attaches great importance to its relations with Montenegro. He noted that the friendly relations and shared commitment to intensifying political dialogue provide a solid foundation for further strengthening the partnership. He particularly welcomed Montenegro's interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, education, science, culture, healthcare and tourism, as well as in developing institutional mechanisms for cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the interlocutors reaffirmed their readiness to continue an intensive political dialogue and implement concrete initiatives that will further strengthen the friendly relations between Montenegro and the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the mutual benefit of the citizens and economies of both countries.