WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
Estonia supports Montenegro's path towards membership in the European Union (EU) and wants to help it conclude negotiations with the Union by the end of next year, said Estonian President Alar Karis.
Karis, who is on an official visit to Montenegro, spoke at the Cetinje Residence with his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatović.
The presidents of the two countries recalled at a press conference that Estonia was the first country with which Montenegro established diplomatic relations after the restoration of independence, as well as the first EU member state to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement.
Karis said that Estonia supports Montenegro's path towards EU membership.
“We encourage you to continue the reforms you have started. I am sure that the day will come soon when Montenegro will join the EU,” Karis said.
He said that it is necessary to intensify communication at all levels, including establishing contacts between representatives of various local authorities and institutions.
“We want to share our experience and help Montenegro in its goal of concluding negotiations with the EU by the end of next year,” Karis added.
He said that Montenegro and Estonia have common strategic goals, that they share concerns regarding cyber attacks, disinformation and other negative phenomena.
Karis thanked Montenegro for its military, political and humanitarian support to Ukraine, thus demonstrating a clear commitment to defending regional security.
“We must increase pressure on Russia and continue to support Ukraine during the ceasefire and after it. Peace must be just and based on international law and Ukrainian sovereignty,” Karis stressed.
He said that cooperation between Montenegro and Estonia in digital governance is improving and recalled that the Estonian Academy for Electronic Governance and Cyber Technology has improved Montenegro's ability to counter cyber attacks.
Karis said that Montenegro has great potential in culture, tourism, economy, and that he sees opportunities for cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and education.
"Estonia wants to support Montenegro as a friend, ally in NATO and partner in the EU. Together we will continue to build a safer, more resilient and united Europe," Karis said.
Milatović said that Montenegro and Estonia cherish a strong and traditional friendship based on common values - freedom, democratic development, mutual respect and commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic principles.
He said that today's visit has additional, historical symbolism, because it is the first visit of an Estonian president to Montenegro since 2008.
Milatović said that Montenegro is grateful to Estonia for its support for the EU enlargement policy, based on the individual merits of each country.
“We appreciate that Estonia recognizes our country as the most successful candidate in the European integration process and that it highly values our full compliance with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy,” Milatović added.
He said that Montenegro’s European perspective will also be confirmed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which Montenegro will host in the fall of next year, when it will symbolically celebrate 20 years since the restoration of independence with its partners from the Union.
Milatović also thanked Estonia for its support for Montenegro becoming an associate member of the Three Seas Initiative, stating that this is a clear confirmation that Montenegro belongs to the area of common European values and economic ties and cooperation, and a step forward towards full membership in the EU.
“Our ambition remains clear – full membership of Montenegro in the EU by 2028,” Milatović emphasized.
He also said that, as allies within NATO, Montenegro and Estonia share responsibility for strengthening collective security, and that they want to deepen cooperation in the field of defense and security.
Milatović said that the two countries should work together to strengthen economic cooperation, emphasizing that Montenegro is open to Estonian investments.
“Tourism is also another area with significant potential. Thanks to the Tallinn-Tivat airline, we are witnessing increasing interest from Estonian tourists, which further motivates us to work on strengthening tourism cooperation between our countries through joint promotions and projects,” Milatović said.
As he added, it is important to intensify cooperation in the field of digital transformation with Estonia, which is recognized worldwide as a leader in this field.
