During their official visit to Bucharest, members of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants of the Parliament of Montenegro, headed by Chairperson Mr Andrija Nikolić, held separate meetings with the Vice-Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Romania Mr Ben-Oni Ardelean, representatives of committees on foreign and European affairs of both chambers of the Romanian Parliament, representatives of the Committee for Romanian Communities Living Abroad of the Chamber of Deputies, as well as with the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chairperson of the Committee for Foreign Policy of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament Ms Biró Rozália-Ibolya welcomed the seriousness of Montenegro's approach to the integration process, with the assessment that it was a country determining stability in the region, leading successful foreign policy and working with commitment on the emancipation of society.
Pointing out the significance of parliamentary diplomacy, Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Andrija Nikolić presented a concrete proposal for strengthening the parliamentary cooperation between Montenegro and Romania. The idea of organising a joint meeting of foreign affairs committees of the Western Balkans countries was especially welcomed; the meeting would be held during the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union, which, according to Mr Nikolić, should mark the beginning of the parliamentary dimension of the Berlin Process.
Members of the committees on foreign and European affairs of the Parliament of Romania unanimously assessed that the result of the last presidential election in Montenegro represented a triumph of European politics. Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies Mr Ştefan Muşoiu informed the Montenegrin delegation on the willingness on the Romanian part to provide expert and technical assistance through the transfer of experience and knowledge, especially with regard to the use of the European funds.
At the meetings, they also discussed the fight against corruption, enhancing cooperation in the field of security, justice, gender equality, tourism, education and science. The interlocutors exchanged views on the models of cooperation with the diaspora, and agreed that special attention should be paid to the improvement of the status of emigrants, by recognising the contributions that emigrants provide to their country of origin.
The Committee's visit was assessed as extremely successful and constructive, and the continuation of an intensive communication was agreed, as well as the strengthening of cooperation within regional and European initiatives and organisations, including the holding of regular consultations at the level of working bodies of the two parliaments.
In addition to the Chairperson of the Committee Mr Andrija Nikolić, the delegation of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants visiting the Parliament of Romania also consisted of the Committee members Ms Nada Drobnjak and Mr Miloš Nikolić.
