Spajić and Erdoğan discuss stronger cooperation between Montenegro and Türkiye: High-Level Cooperation Council to be established

Montenegro and the Republic of Türkiye will, in the shortest possible timeframe, proceed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a High-Level Cooperation Council, with the aim of further advancing bilateral cooperation. This was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, held in Ankara.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić was in Türkiye for the NATO Summit and used the opportunity to meet with President Erdoğan, with whom he discussed further strengthening political and economic relations between the two friendly countries, regional developments, Montenegro’s European integration, as well as defence cooperation.

Prime Minister Spajić thanked President Erdoğan for the excellent organisation and hosting of this year’s NATO Summit, noting that the Montenegrin delegation had been welcomed at the highest level, which represents a confirmation of the strong friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.

In this context, the President of the Republic of Türkiye accepted Prime Minister Spajić’s invitation to visit Montenegro.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the NATO Summit, the Prime Minister assessed that the meeting of Allied leaders was highly successful and that the decisions adopted further strengthen the unity of the Alliance and contribute to long-term security, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.

President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye considers Montenegro a sincere friend and a reliable ally, emphasising that the high level of Turkish investments confirms confidence in Montenegro and its development potential. He expressed readiness to further advance cooperation, both in the economic field and in all other areas of mutual interest.

The two officials also discussed Montenegro’s European integration, highlighting the importance of continuing reform processes and strengthening overall regional stability through the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Spajić expressed confidence that Montenegro would become the 28th member state of the European Union by 2028, stressing that this goal requires full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as continued implementation of reforms in all key areas.

The two sides exchanged views on opportunities for enhancing cooperation in the fields of defence and healthcare. In this regard, they agreed on more intensive communication and cooperation between the relevant ministries of the two countries.

The meeting confirmed that Montenegro and the Republic of Türkiye enjoy exceptionally strong and substantive bilateral relations, based on mutual trust, NATO alliance ties and robust economic connections. The establishment of the High-Level Cooperation Council, together with upcoming official visits, will represent a new step forward in the further strategic development of relations between the two countries.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović.