Montenegro President Visits Bulgaria, Leaders Talk Bilateral Relations, EU Integration, Regional Security and Defence

President Rumen Radev (left) welcomes his visiting Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatovic in central Sofia. Milatovic is on a two-day visit March 10-11, Sofia, March 10, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Kassabov)

Sofia,

10.03.2025 18:30

(BTA)

President Rumen Radev met with his visiting Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatovic in Sofia Monday for talks dominated by economy, connectivity, security, regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, culture and education.

Milatovic is visiting Bulgaria on Monday and Tuesday at Radev's invitation. He and wife Milena Milatovic were welcomed by President Radev and wife Desislava Radeva with an official ceremony at St. Alexander Nevsky Square. The Montenegrin President paid tribute at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

Emerging from the meeting with the guest, President Rumen Radev said Bulgaria will continue its strong support for Montenegro's European perspective. "This visit is important because it confirms the excellent relations between Bulgaria and Montenegro at the highest political level. Our two countries share many centuries-old cultural and spiritual ties, and a similar historical background. Today we are developing our relations on the basis of shared values, mutual trust, friendship, constructive cooperation within NATO and a number of international forums. We expect to soon share common values and responsibilities within the European Union," President Radev said.

He pointed out that the two countries are linked by their common commitment to the security, stability and prosperity of the entire region. "It can only be achieved if we work together," the Bulgarian head of State said. Radev thanked for Montenegro's decision to send a contingent to NATO's Eastern flank, to the multinational battle group, which is on Bulgarian territory.

Rumen Radev also commented on the possibility to have a direct air link between the capitals of the two countries.

"There is much to be desired in terms of trade and economic exchanges, which are far from the potential of our two countries," the Bulgarian head of State said.

President Milatovic said at a joint news conference after meeting with his host that Montenegro aims to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028, which is "an ambitious but achievable goal". said Montenegrin on Monday. According to Milatovic, Montenegro is the most advanced country on its path to EU membership.

The President expressed gratitude to Bulgaria for its support for Montenegro's European integration. He emphasized that relations between Bulgaria and Montenegro are excellent, but noted there is potential for further development, particularly in the economic field.

Both countries are NATO allies and share a common vision for security and stability both in the region and beyond. "Montenegro contributes to strengthening NATO's Eastern flank," Milatovic added.

The one-on-one meeting between the two presidents was followed by plenary talks with the official delegations. In the presence of both presidents, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Institute of Marine Biology of Montenegro and the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute.

On Tuesday, Radev and Milatovic will visit the Novo Selo training area, where they will be greeted by an honour guard from the multinational battlegroup. The two presidents will view static displays of weapons and equipment and meet with Bulgarian and Montenegrin contingents, according to the statement.

President Milatovic also met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, who reiterated Bulgaria's has always supported the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries and Montenegro in particular. Defence cooperation was among the topics of priority. The two sides discussed the possibility of training Montenegrin military personnel in Bulgarian higher military schools. Zhelyazkov briefed President Milatovic on the capabilities of the Bulgarian military-industrial complex, and the two discussed potential opportunities for cooperation in this field. Zhelyazkov and Milatovic also discussed the war in Ukraine and the need to achieve lasting peace.

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