Montenegro can be satisfied with the results of the recently held Summit in Sofia, where clear and unequivocal messages of the Union’s support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans have been heard, it was concluded at the meeting of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants with the delegation of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

In his conversation with the Bulgarian parliamentarians, with gratitude towards Bulgaria for organising a very important Summit for the countries of the Western Balkans, Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Andrija Nikolić said that, via the text of the Declaration adopted in Sofia, the Union had shown its commitment to strengthen and intensify its engagement at all levels in order to provide support to the political, economic and cultural transformation of the Western Balkans societies. Mr Nikolić also welcomed the increased presence of Bulgaria in Montenegro, as evidenced by the good quality of cooperation between the parliamentary foreign affairs committees of the two countries.

Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr Kristijan Vigenin pointed out that this visit, which followed immediately after the Summit in Sofia, further confirmed Bulgaria's support to the European path of the Western Balkans, and Montenegro in particular. In this regard, he said that Montenegro was a priority partner of Bulgaria in the region, that the political relations of the two countries were excellent, and that the bilateral relations should be further improved. Mr Vigenin concluded that the prosperity of the region could only be achieved with the cooperation of all countries and the fight for common interests, and that the unresolved issues would be systematically addressed following the entire region’s accession to the European Union.

At the meeting, they also discussed the use of the European funds, freedom of the media, creation of opportunities for youth cooperation between the two countries, as well as the EU budget for the upcoming period.

In addition to Chairperson of the Committee Mr Andrija Nikolić, the meeting was also attended by members of the Committee: Mr Miloš Nikolić, Mr Dragutin Papović and Mr Ervin Ibrahimović.

In addition to Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds Mr Kristijan Vigenin, the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria also consisted of Deputy Chairperson Ms Imren Mehmedova, as well as members of the Committee Ms Miglena Aleksandrova and Ms Polina Tsankova-Hristova.

The meeting was also attended by Bulgarian Ambassador to Montenegro H.E. Mr Mladen Chervenyakov.