3 November 2021

The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zdravko Krivokapić, is on a two-day visit to Serbia, during which he met with the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, the Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić and the Speaker of the National Assembly Ivica Dačić.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić exchanged views with Montenegrin Prime Minister Krivokapić on possibilities for improving bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as further deepening economic relations.

President Vučić pointed out that intensive and continuous high-level dialogue is the main precondition for creating a climate of better understanding and easier overcoming of possible differences between the two countries, and added that Serbia attaches special importance to further development of overall bilateral relations with Montenegro, in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.

The President especially emphasized that good relations between Serbia and Montenegro are of exceptional importance for the stability of the entire region.

"I believe that we share the opinion that the stabilization of relations and their overall improvement can occur only if there is the will and readiness for it on both sides, with mutual respect and consideration of common needs and interests", said President Vučić.

The Prime Minister of Montenegro expressed readiness to improve relations between the two countries in all aspects of mutual interest and added that "Montenegro welcomes the strategy of measured steps for mutually beneficial relations between the two countries".

Speaking about European integration, President Vučić pointed out that Serbia strongly supports all countries in the region on the path to membership in the European Union, and that in that sense, mutual support is extremely important.

The interlocutors also agreed that there is mutual interest in revitalizing the infrastructure that connects the two countries, emphasizing that the construction of road and railway infrastructure is of great importance, as well as further work on energy projects and joint appearance on third markets. In that sense, President Vučić and Prime Minister Krivokapić especially emphasized the strategic importance of the construction of the Belgrade-South Adriatic highway and the modernization of the Belgrade-Bar railway.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, hosted a formal reception for the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zdravko Krivokapić.

At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Brnabić assessed that Serbia and Montenegro are bound by many things and that the two countries, by the nature of things, should have the closest relations.

Brnabić expressed hope that this, the first visit of the Montenegrin Prime Minister, is just the beginning of a new phase of relations with the Government of Montenegro and that, apart from the renewal of political dialogue, its result will be stable and even more meaningful bilateral relations.

The prime minister pointed out that the economy, due to the living standard of the citizens of Serbia and Montenegro, is one of the most important topics, especially since Serbia is one of the most important economic partners for Serbia in terms of exchange, investments and tourism.

The Prime minister stated that Serbian investments in Montenegro amounted to approximately 400 million euros, emphasizing that with better political relations, they could increase.

According to her, the two sides reached an agreement to pursue the goal of increasing trade to one billion euros.

I conveyed to Prime Minister Krivokapić that Serbia strongly supports the European integration of Montenegro because the positive signal of the European Union to anyone in the Western Balkans is a positive signal for the entire Balkans, she emphasized.

Brnabić pointed out that she also talked with her colleague from Montenegro about the Berlin Process, which implies better economic and infrastructural connections.

According to her, issues discussed at the meeting were also the continuation of the construction of the highway from Pozega to Boljar, on the border with Montenegro, the modernization of the railway between Belgrade and Bar, as well as the expansion and formation of joint border crossings, in order to reduce congestion, especially during the tourist season.

The prime minister pointed out that the possibility of holding the first joint session of the governments of Serbia and Montenegro was also considered, expressing hope that a date for such a session would be set soon.

She pointed out that Montenegro was invited to join the "Open Balkans" initiative, which includes Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia, and which should lead to a common market and the abolition of border controls.

The President of the National Assembly, Ivica Dačić, emphasized the importance of the visit of the prime minister of Montenegro for strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

"Throughout history, Serbia and Montenegro have never been enemies of each other and have always been in fraternal and friendly relations", said Ivica Dačić, pointing out that all efforts should be made to bring relations back to that level in the future. He underlined that Serbia does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of Montenegro and that the only thing it is interested in is good relations and protection of the rights of Serbs in Montenegro. He expressed readiness to work on strengthening the cooperation between the two parliaments, both through the realization of the visits of the presidents of the parliaments, and through closer contacts of the parliamentary friendship groups.

Prime Minister Krivokapić expressed satisfaction with the visit to Serbia, emphasizing that he received a warm welcome from all officials in Serbia and readiness and openness for cooperation.