WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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SOURCE: ANTENA M - AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Cetinje today.
Milatović said that he was very honored and particularly pleased to welcome Mattarella to Cetinje.
"Bilateral cooperation is characterized by friendly relations and intensive political dialogue that we cherish and demonstrate today. It was intensified by my visit to Rome in 2023. I want to talk about three important things. First of all, we have the arrival of the President of Italy, additionally intensified political dialogue and other government bodies," said Milatović.
The President of Montenegro said that through cooperation, the governments have also strengthened the transport links between Montenegro and Italy.
He also stated that Montenegro had the support of Italy for important segments of social progress.
"Here I would like to highlight the formation of the financial police, with the help of Italy," Milatović emphasized.
The President of Montenegro said that he wanted to mention people who are symbols of the fight against the mafia - Italian judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borselli.
"But I also want to mention our fighters against the mafia who gave their lives in that fight - journalist Duško Jovanović and police inspector Slavoljub Šćekić. I will quote Falcone who says that the mafia is not invincible - it is a human factor and has its own beginning and end. Montenegro has embarked on a fight against the mafia and it must defeat it," Milatović said.
He added that Montenegro had strong support from Italy for progress on its EU path.
"The political support that Italy provides through the Friends of Enlargement platform is immeasurable, where Italy's political position on the need for EU enlargement to all Western Balkan countries is clearly demonstrated," Milatović said.
Mattarella: Montenegro and Italy have great cooperation when it comes to fighting crime and corruption
Italian President Sergio Mattarella thanked Milatović for the welcome and the medal.
"The intensity of our interactions has been confirmed through many meetings. It is a historic friendship," said Mattarella.
He said that Montenegro and Italy have great cooperation when it comes to fighting crime and corruption.
"Italy has understood how important it is for Montenegro to be part of the EU and this gives us the commitment to support you even more. We think that this is feasible in a few years and Italy will do everything in its power to make it happen," said Mattarella.
When asked by a Montenegrin journalist what advice Mattarella had for Montenegro on its European path, he said that his country had always supported and spoken about the importance and urgency of the Western Balkan countries joining the EU.
"We express our immense satisfaction for all the steps that put Montenegro in an advanced position," Mattarella emphasized.
Milatović: I spoke with Spajić, we must work on big things
Milatović, answering journalists' questions, said that he spoke with Spajić and they decided to work together on all the big things that will only bring good to Montenegro.
"When I became president, I said that I would be both a corrective and cohesive president. "We are indeed working in that sense and are making additional efforts to demonstrate our focus on the European agenda in our talks with European leaders," Milatović said.
He said that he had spoken with Prime Minister Spajić and that they agreed to work together to ensure that Montenegro hosts the European Political Community Summit.
"I am optimistic that next year we will manage to gather more than 50 European leaders," Milatović said.
When asked about the candidacy for Constitutional Court judge Dejan Vukšić, who is his advisor, Milatović said:
"I think that official correspondence has been made with the Parliament of Montenegro after the list is determined, I will have an interview with everyone on the commission to determine the factual situation," Milatović said.
