15/05/2023 The European future of Montenegro has no alternative, the President of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov said at a meeting with the the President of the[...]

15/05/2023

Bulgaria strongly and confidently supports the European path of Montenegro, the President of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov said at a meeting with the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Đurović. The President of the Parliament of Montenegro is on a two-day visit to Bulgaria following the invitation of the President of the National Assembly.

The European future of Montenegro has no alternative, Rosen Zhelyazkov said. He emphasized that the EU enlargement process has established itself as a stabilising factor in the region and a strong incentive for key reforms.

Bulgaria supports the countries of the Western Balkans on their way to the EU, the President of the National Assembly noted. The reliability of the process requires the Western Balkans partners to comply also with their commitments by fulfilling the established EU criteria and conditions, Rosen Zhelyazkov said. Because only full membership and observance of uniform norms and requirements guarantees the peaceful development of all countries and the EU as a whole, he added.

We thank Bulgaria for its support and efforts made for the Western Balkan countries to join the EU as soon as possible, the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Đurović said. She welcomed our country's position that each of the candidate countries should be assessed according to the reforms made and its readiness to join the big European family.

The bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Montenegro can be an example for the Balkans, the President of the National Assembly emphasized. Rosen Zhelyazkov pointed out that the traditionally good cooperation preserved over the years, as well as Montenegro's consistent progress in European integration, provide new opportunities for expanding the bilateral contacts in many areas.

The President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Đurović noted that Bulgaria and Montenegro has established traditionally good relations, characterised by regular high-level and top-level political dialogue. We have a wide field of cooperation - parliamentary, political, economic, as well as untapped potential in the field of tourism, she added.

In terms of domestic politics, we owe to both the society and our EU partners to form a stable government with a clear political majority, Rosen Zhelyazkov said. The President of the National Assembly briefed the President of the Parliament of Montenegro on the current political situation in Bulgaria. I believe that the time has come to build on our traditionally friendly relations by deepening co-operation in the areas of security and defence, economy, investment and tourism, energy and cultural co-operation, he added.

I expect options to be sought for opening a direct flight between Sofia and Podgorica, which will help to intensify economic contacts and facilitate tourism, Rosen Zhelyazkov emphasized. He pointed out that conditions could be created for state operators to make it economically expedient to maintain such a line, even if it is not year-round but linked to tourist seasonality.

The President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Đurović was officially welcomed by the President of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov in front of the Bulgarian Parliament building. After the bilateral meeting, which was also attended by the Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly Rositsa Kirova, Nikola Minchev, Tsoncho Ganev and Andrey Chorbanov, Danijela Đurović signed the official guest book and saw around the plenary hall of the Parliament.

In the program of the visit of the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Đurović, a meeting with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev is also planned.

On May 16, Danijela Đurović will participate in a forum in Sofia Tech Park "The European Union Meets the Balkans", dedicated to 50 years of EU enlargement.