“The government's program is ambitious – this should happen by 2028, with all negotiation chapters being concluded by the end of next year. This will require appropriate efforts, but it is a fact that Montenegro is currently the leader among all countries – EU candidates in terms of the fact that extremely intensive negotiations are currently underway”, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at a briefing after the end of his meeting with the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic. Zhelyazkov pointed out that the country also has to make decisions of a bilateral nature.
"For some countries, history has shown us that they are somewhat skeptical about joining such unions. For this purpose, however, some problems must also be resolved, so to speak from the “Balkan agenda”, the Prime Minister pointed out, recalling Bulgaria's path to European alliances.
“You know how much Bulgaria suffers, how long we were ready to join Schengen, but the process was postponed. Such is our role - to support the efforts of all those who have achieved merit and are ready for membership in such alliances”, explained Zhelyazkov.
The Prime Minister is on an official visit to Montenegro. The Prime Minister was welcomed by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic with an official ceremony with military honors. After the ceremony, a “four-eyes” meeting began between the two prime ministers.
Part of the program were also plenary talks, in which Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov, Minister of Health Silvi Kirilov, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, as well as their Montenegrin counterparts took part. After the meeting, the two prime ministers will make short statements and answer journalistic questions.
Prime Minister Zhelyazkov also spoke with the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic. Sofia and Podgorica have excellent bilateral relations and good cooperation in the multilateral formats in which they participate. Among the topics of the talks are Bulgaria's support for Montenegro's accession to the EU, regional cooperation and security, as well as partnership within NATO.
The two prime ministers signed an Agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and Montenegro on scientific and technological cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov and Maja Vukicevic, Minister of Transport of Montenegro, signed a bilateral declaration of cooperation to establish a working group aimed at quickly connecting Sofia and Podgorica via a direct air route.
A joint expert working group has also been established with the participation of the ministries of transport, aviation administrations, airport operators, as well as an air carrier from the Montenegrin side. A joint expert working group has already been established to prepare the line, with the participation of the transport ministries, aviation administrations, airport operators, as well as an air carrier from the Montenegrin side.
During the bilateral meeting, the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Bulgaria will provide full assistance to any air carrier wishing to operate direct flights between the two countries.
“Bulgarian airport operators offer incentive schemes for air carriers that launch new destinations. Montenegrin carriers could benefit from these incentives“, Grozdan Karadzhov pointed out.
On the occasion of the Unification Day, the Prime Minister will unveil a bust-monument of Prince Alexander I Battenberg at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Montenegro. Zhelyazkov is also scheduled to deliver a public lecture to students at the university.
"Bulgaria is a firm and constant supporter of Montenegro's European perspective. Podgorica meets all the requirements of the negotiation chapters and is confidently moving in the direction based on its own merits". This was stated by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov during a joint briefing for journalists, which he participated in together with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic.
Zhelyazkov also wished Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union. "I am sure that the country will be part of the European Union. The more countries there are, the stronger the EU becomes. The Western Balkans will very soon boast of a successful enlargement process, which is a guarantee of security and stability", he added.
"We are looking in the same direction in geopolitical, European and regional aspects", said Prime Minister Zhelyazkov. He was categorical that the enlargement process is a guarantee of security and stability and contributes to the EU becoming stronger.
“Bulgaria will support Montenegro, we will also support all other countries that are candidates and are successfully handling the negotiation process, based on their own merits, in order to be part of our union as soon as possible”, said Zhelyazkov.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister emphasized the need to improve connectivity in the region. According to him, this can happen both through pre-accession funds and through public-private partnerships.
”We need to develop the digital and energy markets”, pointed out Zhelyazkov and gave as an example the untapped potential for developing the digital economy through the available infrastructure between Italy and Montenegro.
With regard to transport connectivity, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov paid special attention to air connectivity. The Prime Minister emphasized that it is important for the competent authorities of Bulgaria and Montenegro to focus on promoting business interest in operating regular flights.
“The most feasible options are when they are concluded within certain packages - transport, tourism, connectivity and attracting third countries to be part of this connectivity”, noted Rosen Zhelyazkov.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, for his part, stated that his country would continue to work for both air and land connectivity through the implementation of important transport projects. For example, travel from Sofia to Podgorica will be facilitated by the construction of a motorway with funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Spajic also expressed hope that his country would become the 28th member of the EU, emphasizing Montenegro's efforts on its path to European integration. “Eurointegration begins first with regional integration, so we must have close neighbors who strongly support Montenegro's accession to the union”, Spajic also said.
According to him, the euro has helped his country a lot in the long run and highlighted the advantages of using the euro as a currency. According to Spajic, investors are much calmer when the euro is used, because it is an extremely liquid instrument.
”I am convinced that Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone is absolutely right”, the Montenegrin Prime Minister was categorical.
”The euro has helped our country a lot, reduced inflation, made it easier for investors. This is the second largest currency in the world, an extremely liquid instrument, My advice to the country is to adopt the euro – "The pros are much more than the cons," Spajic also said.
The official delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh and Minister of Health Silvi Kirilov, who will meet with their Montenegrin counterparts.