Mr Nikolić reminded that since the democratic referendum of 21 May 2006 our country had committed to the Euro-Atlantic integration, and that all election processes since then until today had been a confirmation of commitment of the citizens that Montenegro should be in the European Union and the NATO Alliance.

Chairperson Nikolić pointed out that the Republic of Italy was in the group of best friends of Montenegro and thanked Ambassador Del Monaco for the support that Italy had been giving to Montenegro so far in reaching its strategic foreign policy goals.

Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Montenegro H.E. Mr Vincenzo Del Monaco particularly emphasised the significance of the parliament as the only valid place for resolution of all significant political issues in the country. Mr Del Monaco remarked that Italy would continue to strongly advocate for the enlargement policy of NATO and the EU in the Western Balkans region.

The interlocutors voiced their pleasure over excellent political relations of the two countries, but also over the increasingly stronger presence of Italian investors in Montenegro, which were implementing several significant projects in our country. Mr Nikolić and Mr Del Monaco agreed that there was still room for improvement of relations in areas such as energy, tourism, and culture, and an additional momentum to cooperation was expected from the interparliamentary friendship groups, whose forming was at the final stage.

At the meeting, they agreed on the visit of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants of the Parliament of Montenegro to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Italy.