site.bta Bulgaria, Montenegro Sign Agreement on Social Security

Bulgaria, Montenegro Sign Agreement on Social Security

Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - Bulgaria and Montenegro signed Monday an agreement on social security and an administrative agreement on its implementation. The document was signed by the visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro, Igor Luksic, and the Ministers of Health and of Labour of Bulgaria, Peter Moskov and Ivaylo Kalfin.

The agreement opens the door to free movement of people between the two countries, as their medical and social insurance rights are preserved, Kalfin explained at a news briefing in the Foreign Ministry.

Kalfin said that this will pave the way for Montenegro to the EU membership negotiations on Chapter 19 connected with the free movement of people.

Minister Luksic said that the agreement sets a solid groundwork for protecting the interests of the people from the two countries.

Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov reconfirmed Bulgaria's support for the Euro-Atlantic integration efforts of Montenegro and said that the two countries enjoy fine relations.

It transpired from his remarks that bilateral agreements in education, tourism and investments are also in the pipeline.

The top Bulgarian diplomat recalled that Bulgaria and Montenegro will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations.

A book on relations between the two countries in the period from 1878 to 1913 will be press-launched in Sofia later in the day.

Luksic thanked Bulgaria for being his country's advocate in respect to policies connected with Montenegro's accession to the EU and NATO.  

He also said that the two countries have excellent cooperation in economy and science and hopes that relations will be further expanded in tourism and agriculture.

Kalfin said that in April Bulgaria will host a meeting on demographics among the ministers of the Balkan countries.