“Montenegro is currently operating at full capacity, which is promising for both the region and Europe. I want to emphasize that the Republic of Italy stands firmly alongside Montenegro on its European journey,” stated Italian President Sergio Mattarella during a meeting with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

President Mattarella is on an official visit to Montenegro.

According to the government, Spajić informed Mattarella about the ongoing government reforms aimed at fulfilling the criteria for European Union membership.

Spajić highlighted the significance of bilateral support from EU member states and pointed out the potential for enhancing cooperation with Italy in energy, infrastructure, tourism, and transportation.

“Advancement towards EU membership is intrinsically linked to our relentless battle against organized crime and corruption. In this regard, collaboration with the Italian Guardia di Finanza is crucial for establishing Montenegro’s new financial police. We are adopting best practices because our goal is to create a system that ensures the rule of law for all citizens,” remarked Spajić.

The statement from Mattarella indicated that “friends from Montenegro can rely on Italy’s unwavering support” and praised the government’s endeavors to fast-track the European agenda.

“He mentioned that the progress Montenegro has achieved under the 44th Government serves as encouragement for the rest of the Western Balkans, as well as a motivating factor for the EU’s enlargement policy. “We are delighted to see your accomplishments, Prime Minister. Montenegro exemplifies that a country’s success is not defined by its size, but by its dynamism. Montenegro is now performing at full strength, which is encouraging news for the region and even better for Europe,” stated the Italian President.

During the discussions, the two leaders exchanged views on the challenges of European integration and jointly concluded that it is vital for all societal actors to focus on future possibilities, where they can all find mutual interests.

The meeting also looked forward to Spajić’s upcoming trip to Italy on April 15, which is anticipated to be a great opportunity to enhance economic cooperation, with significant potential identified. The participants agreed that this visit will be a chance to discuss specific projects aimed at strengthening the connections between the two nations.

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