The meeting of President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Ivan Brajović and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Ms Tsveta Karayancheva focused on the significance of keeping parliamentary and other types of relations between the two states dynamic, keeping in mind, among other things, the challenges in the region.
It was pointed out that excellent political relations should result in an even greater economic exchange.
President Brajović was grateful for Bulgaria's support to Montenegro's European path, its willingness to share the accession process experiences, as well as for the strengthening of the Western Balkans European perspective during Bulgaria’s presidency over the Council of the EU in the first half of this year.
The Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament emphasised the significance of Montenegro’s good position on its path towards the EU; while NATO membership and the harmonisation of Montenegro’s legislation and foreign policy with the common foreign and security policy significantly contributed to this. Speaker Karayancheva also reiterated Bulgaria's advocacy for the individual merit-based approach for each country on their European paths. Speaking of Bulgaria’s focus on the Western Balkans, Ms Karayancheva pointed out that the existence of those countries’ desire to achieve European integration was of the utmost importance, therefore, for its commitment to the European values Montenegro “has its EU lobbyist in Bulgaria”.
In press statements following the meeting, President of the Parliament said that the goal of excellent bilateral relations was to intensify economic cooperation.
- We also talked about this a lot, we also discussed the intensifying of our tourist exchange, as well as significant ideas on energy transfer, and from that you can see how important was the Montenegrin strategic decision to build the underwater cable together with Italy. What is very important, we have one sincere, truly entirely friendly offer from Bulgaria to always help us in the EU negotiation process, to provide us with their expert assistance and analysis, so that we would not repeat some of their mistakes on that path, but that we may move along faster and with more certainty. Once again, before you as well, I want to thank my colleague for the sincere friendship that Bulgaria cultivates with Montenegro.
Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Ms Tsveta Karayancheva said that Bulgaria, as an EU member, welcomed the return of the major part of the opposition to the Parliament of Montenegro:
- It is well known that everyone, in every state, all political parties represented in parliament must participate in decision-making and bear responsibility for their decisions. We will certainly remain persistent in our desire to help you harmonise your national legislation with the European acquis. This path, of course, entails meetings and conversations between friendship groups and various committees in the two parliaments. Let us once again say that, in our view, the connectivity of the Western Balkans countries and the European Union is of the utmost importance to us.
She emphasised that this was precisely why Bulgaria supported the accelerated construction of the Adriatic - Ionian highway, which would facilitate cross-border connectivity. Ms Karayancheva expressed the hope that the undersea cable project with Italy would be fully implemented and that “we will be able to transfer Bulgarian electricity as well”.
- And let us wish each other that good intensive political relations stimulate even more active economic relations - concluded the Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament.
Ms Karayancheva reminded that today in Montenegro there was also another Bulgarian, Ms Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for digitalisation.
- I know that there will be discussion precisely about lowering the prices of roaming, data transfer, and digitalisation. And I jokingly say that this is another Bulgarian contribution to Montenegro's path towards the European Union.
The meeting was attended by members of the Montenegro - Bulgaria parliamentary Friendship Group, MPs Mr Tarzan Milošević as the Chair of the Group, Mr Andrija Nikolić, Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants, and Mr Miloš Nikolić.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria and the President of the Parliament of Montenegro laid down a wreath at the Monument to the Partisan Fighter on Gorica.
Official welcome ceremony
FOOTAGE
Speaker of the Bulgarian Assembly in an official visit to Montenegro
Wreath laying ceremony
Press statement by the President of the Parliament
Press statement by the Speaker of the Bulgarian Assembly
Media questions
