The Republic of Bulgaria will continue to support the European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Montenegro. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said after he held a meeting with the Head of State of Montenegro Filip Vujanovich  at 2 Dondukov street.

The Bulgarian Head of State voiced hope that by the end of 2015 Montenegro will be invited to be a NATO member. This will be a success not only for Montenegro, but also for the whole region. “In difficult and turbulent times the Alliance will have to make bold decisions. It is true that there is a long list of requirements, but it is also true that Montenegro deserves to become a NATO member as soon as possible. Bulgaria is aware of the strategic importance of this membership and is working to make it happen,” President Rosen Plevneliev said. In the Head of State’s opinion, the forthcoming NATO summit in Warsaw will have a historical importance. “We will strengthen NATO by making the responsible and correct decision that Montenegro joins the Alliance,” the President emphasized.

President Filip Vujanovich   thanked Bulgaria and Head of State Rosen Plevneliev for the consistent support for Montenegro’s road to Euro-Atlantic and European integration. “This gives us the courage and the opportunity to continue,” President Vujanovich further said.

The President of Montenegro thanked the Bulgarian Head of State for the help and support our country provides for the development of the infrastructure and transport connections in the region. “Our major goal is to continue the construction of the transport infrastructure in the Western Balkans. We will be happy if more Bulgarian companies and banks take part in this process,” the President of Montenegro said.

Bulgaria and Montenegro share a common opinion on the necessity to build a regional energy market, which will guarantee the energy security of the individual states and market prices for everyone. President Plevneliev highlighted that Bulgaria’s idea to create an energy bourse in Southeast Europe, which will include 12 countries and a population of more than 150 million, is strategic for the region. “The goal is not to be dependent on monopolists and a non-market determining of the prices, but to ensure transparency and competition. Bulgaria is working so as to implement this idea and is supported by the other countries in the region. The political support is growing stronger. There is not a single argument against. For me, the question is not whether it will happen, but when,” the Head of State said. By the end of 2015 Bulgaria and Romania will be the first Southeast European countries which will completely liberalize their energy markets.

The two presidents also discussed concrete joint projects in the energy sector. Bulgaria shows an interest in using the high-voltage cable between Montenegro and Italy, which is planned to be completed by 2018, for the export of electricity from our country to Italy. Bulgarian companies intend to take part in the construction of hydroelectric stations in Montenegro, of the lift Kotor-Lovchen-Tsetine, and in other infrastructure projects. President Plevneliev called on the Bulgarian companies to be active and to take part in the respective public procurements and procedures which will be held in Montenegro and emphasized that Bulgaria will welcome companies from Montenegro to participate in the implementation of projects in Bulgaria. President Vujanovich positively assessed the Bulgarian companies’ interest in Montenegro’s energy sector and voiced conviction that the better communication and connectivity will also encourage the development of tourism not only in the region, but will also attract tourists from other countries.

The two presidents were unanimous that the level of economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Montenegro is below the capacities and the potential of the two countries. The Head of States agreed to start planning the next meeting of the Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation in Sofia. President Vujanovich highlighted that a good basis for economic cooperation has been formed. “In Montenegro we take pride in the close neighborly relations with Bulgaria,” the Head of State said.

Strengthening the partnership between the Process of Cooperation in Southeast Europe and the European Union and using the EU funds to achieve greater connectivity in the region is a common priority for the two countries, it further emerged from the meeting of the two presidents. Montenegro supports the priorities the Bulgarian presidency of SEECP has set for ensuring better connectivity in the region, for ensuring transparency and efficiency of the institutions and for cooperation in resolving crises such as the greater migration flows, fighting terrorism and others.

Bulgaria is interested in transforming the Regional Secretariat for parliamentary cooperation in Southeast Europe whose headquarters are in Sofia into a Permanent Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of SEECP. “We rely on the support of our friends in the region and of course on Montenegro,” Rosen Plevneliev said. The Head of State emphasized that Bulgaria and Montenegro are factors of stability and good-neighborly relations. “We set an example of a peaceful and democratic development in the region. Together we are stronger,” Rosen Plevneliev said.