The friendly relations between Montenegro and Bulgaria, confirmed during the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, are the foundation for the successful integration of Montenegro into the family of the most developed countries of Europe, said Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Andrija Nikolić, at a meeting with Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Ms Iliana Iotova, on an official visit to Montenegro.

Vice President Ms Iliana Iotova noted that their support to Montenegro was a part of Bulgaria's consistent policy regarding the appreciation of the Western Balkans countries, along with Bulgaria's official position that Montenegro had progressed the most on its European path.

Mr Nikolić and Ms Iotova agreed that the only possible and fair principle in the process of joining the European Union was the regatta principle, and that the in-house Union reforms and the enlargement policy were not mutually exclusive processes.

The interlocutors exchanged their views on the current political moment in Europe, with a reference to the results of the European elections and their possible implications for the enlargement policy.

The meeting was also attended by Bulgarian Ambassador to Montenegro H.E. Ms Meglena Pługcziewa.