PM: Bulgaria’s cooperation with Montenegro helps in addressing common challenges

Bulgaria's relations with Montenegro were discussed today, February 28, at a meeting in the Council of Ministers in Sofia between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his Montenegrin counterpart Duško Marković.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that Bulgaria’s cooperation with Montenegro also helps in addressing common challenges.

In the course of the talks, the two noted the potential for expanding bilateral ties in the economy, investment, tourism, energy.

The Bulgarian PM stressed that the country views as extremely promising the proposals for use in the mutual interest of the undersea power line connecting Montenegro and Italy, as well as for possible participation of the countries from the region in Belene NPP.

"Realization of these two projects can lead to deepening of energy cooperation between our countries," Prime Minister Boyko Borissov emphasized.

The topic of forming a joint venture for the export of electricity from Bulgaria to Italy via the undersea power cable between Montenegro and Italy, as well as a possible Balkan participation in the Belene NPP, were raised during Prime Minister Borissov's official visit to Podgorica on 2-3 September, 2018. A bilateral working group on energy has already been formed to deal with the projects.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov noted that Bulgarian entrepreneurs are interested in investing in the Balkan region. In this context, actions to outline potential areas for attracting investment from Bulgaria are welcomed.

Regarding the promotion of contacts between the business communities of the two countries, it was noted that in view of Bulgaria's traditions and experience it is appropriate to discuss possible cooperation and creation of joint ventures or clusters in agriculture, food industry, energy, transport services, construction, telecommunications.

The highlight of the meeting between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Duško Marković was Montenegro's European integration.

"Your efforts and progress towards EU integration are an example for the region," Prime Minister Borissov told Markovic.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov stressed that Bulgaria, as co-chair of the Berlin Process as of January 1, this year will continue to promote the Western Balkans on their path to the Union, as this leads to stability, peace and prosperity in the region. And such results are for the benefit of all of Europe. Borissov added that Bulgaria was among the countries that provided the strongest support to Montenegro for its accession to NATO.

During the meeting, the promotion of tourism between the two countries was discussed. In this regard, Bulgarian representatives will participate in the International Exhibition of Tourism, Hotel Services and Catering in March in Budva.

Last year, 7,140 Montenegrin tourists visited Bulgaria, which is 1.5% more compared to 2018.

A total of 16,016 Bulgarian tourists visited Montenegro, which is an annual growth of 56.2%.