Members of the Parliament of Montenegro’s Permanent Delegation  Mr Obrad Mišo Stanišić and Mr Genci Nimanbegu have met today with the Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the NATO PA Ms Mimi Kodheli, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro.

On this occasion, the participants voiced particular pleasure regarding the implementation of the meeting and emphasised the significance of continuous improvement of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation.

In his remarks on the NATO membership, Mr Obrad Mišo Stanišić emphasised that Montenegro was ready to give its maximum contribution to implementing all priorities of the Alliance and preserving common values, but also to confirm its full commitment to the allied efforts oriented towards the strengthening of collective defence and projecting stability outside the NATO borders.

He reminded that the international community recognised Montenegro as a factor of stability in the Western Balkans, and we would continue on this path, by providing support to the aspirant countries, strengthening regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations.

In his capacity as the Chairperson of the Security and Defence Committee, Mr Stanišić informed his guest about the responsibilities and the scope of work of this working body of the Parliament of Montenegro, as well as about the results the Committee achieved in the previous period and its upcoming plans.

“Montenegro's membership in NATO represents a contribution to the stability and better future of the region, as well as the confirmation of a stable and decisive belonging to the direction of Euro-Atlantic development, whose values Montenegro has inherited, and sees the benefits thereof through the economic progress of our society as well as the democratic and overall development of Montenegro” pointed out Mr Stanišić.

Mr Genci Nimanbegu thanked the Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the NATO PA Ms Mimi Kodheli for the continuous support to the Euro-Atlantic ambitions of our country, but also of the region, in the previous period.

He emphasised Montenegro's willingness to continue today, as a NATO member state, with the promotion of the Euro-Atlantic values in the Western Balkans, providing support to the aspirant countries.

Mr Nimanbegu emphasised the significance of improving good-neighbourly relations between Montenegro and Albania, especially respecting the significance of strengthening the stability and security in the region and beyond, as well as nurturing the historical ties of the two peoples.

In the context of what was said, the interlocutors agreed on the importance of civil society’s role, as well as on the freedom of expression, being important pre-conditions for democratic prosperity of every society.

Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly Ms Mimi Kodheli particularly emphasised that - bearing in mind contemporary security challenges such as terrorism, cybercrime and security threats - it was important to note the significance of strengthening the good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation. In this context, she stressed the importance of continuous sharing of information, knowledge, and experience, with the aim of finding the best solutions which would contribute to security, stability and progress of our region.

The participants of the meeting jointly stated that the region must remain focused on its integration to the EU and NATO, by adopting the best models for strengthening democracy, economic development and prosperity of the overall society.

Mr Obrad Mišo Stanišić also confirmed that Montenegro was resolutely devoted to preservation of good neighbourly relations and improvement of the regional cooperation.  The Chairperson of the Committee reminded of the results of our country in the field of European integration, as well as of significant institutional and legal reforms, which have led to concreate results in the fight against corruption and organised crime.

The interlocutors, satisfied with the meeting, acknowledged the need of Montenegro and Albania to continue fostering their friendly relations, providing thus support to each other and strengthening cooperation, especially bearing in mind the importance of ensuring a secure environment for the region and beyond. Furthermore, they cited opportunities for improving the economic cooperation.

In the conclusion, they jointly noted that this meeting was another confirmation of the friendly relations between Montenegro and Albania.