Cyprus and Montenegro will work to further strengthen cooperation at the bilateral level, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday after a meeting in Nicosia with his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatovic who is paying a working visit to Cyprus. Milatovic thanked President Christodoulides for Nicosia’s support for Montenegro’s accession process and said Cyprus was “a sincere friend”.
In statements at the Presidential Palace, President Christodoulides thanked Milatovic for Montenegro’s long-standing support on the Cyprus issue, “which remains firmly rooted in respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and in support of a comprehensive settlement based on the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and EU law, values, and principles”.
“Cyprus and Montenegro are friends forever,” Milatovic said in Greek at the beginning of his remarks, thanking President Christodoulides for the hospitality in Nicosia and for Cyprus’ support for Montenegro’s accession process. He described Cyprus as “a sincere friend,” and said that his country wants more bilateral cooperation with Nicosia.
In their meeting President of the Republic, welcoming the Milatovic said that Montenegro was his first visit ahead of the Cyprus EU Presidency, adding that during that visit he promised to his Montenegrin counterpart that the Cyprus Presidency would deliver, with regard to the issue of EU enlargement and pointed out that they have done exactly that.
On his part Milatovic said that Cyprus indeed promotes the accession of Montenegro to the EU and has done what the President promised to do.
After the private meeting the two Presidents made statements to the media.
In his remarks President Christodoulides referred to his visit in Montenegro a year ago, and that he had expressed the commitment that the Cyprus Presidency would work with determination to deliver in concrete terms, to take steps to transform the momentum in enlargement into real progress.
“Today, I can confidently and proudly say: we did it. We delivered”, he said, adding that just a few weeks ago, the Ad Hoc Working Party on the Drafting of the Accession Treaty of Montenegro, was established, under the Cyprus Presidency. “This is the first time in over 10 years that an ad hoc working party of Accession Treaty is established”, he noted, adding that this was “impactful” not only in symbolism that a enlargement is within reach, but also in substance, as it reflects that “Montenegro has delivered”. “And that when our partners deliver, the Union delivers as well. It is about accountability for our partners and credibility for the EU”, he said.
He also said that Milatovic’s visit also comes shortly before Montenegro hosts, for the first time, the EU-Western Balkans Summit, “a milestone gathering that will mark an important momentum for the European future of the Western Balkans.” President Christodoulides noted that he will also attend that event.
Cyprus, he said, “is fully cognizant that the Western Balkans is a region of strategic importance and geopolitical value for a stable, secure and reunited Europe. And especially at this time of global uncertainty and fragmentation, we need to do our utmost to safeguard the peace, security and stability of the Western Balkans.”
He reassured that the Cyprus Presidency would continue working “with the same determination and results driven manner” until the very last day of its term, delivering on the strategically important file of EU Enlargement towards the Western Balkans, and across the European agenda.
President Christodoulides also said they we had “a productive exchange” on bilateral relations, “where, after the President’s previous visit to Cyprus two years ago, and my visit to Montenegro last year, we followed up, including with the signing of a bilateral memorandum on shipping.”
“And we agreed today that our governments will work to further strengthen cooperation at the bilateral level”, he said.
He said he also briefed President Milatović on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem. “I referred earlier to reunifying Europe, and as we strive for more integration, one thing has to be absolutely clear: European integration, European reunification will never be truly complete without the reunification of the Union’s last divided, under occupation Member State”, he said.
He also expressed his “sincere appreciation for Montenegro’s long-standing support, which remains firmly rooted in respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and in support of a comprehensive settlement based on the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and EU law, values, and principles.”
President Christodoulides also thanked Montenegro’s President for his country’s contribution to UNFICYP. “The presence of Montenegrin police officers in the UN peacekeeping force is a tangible proof of your commitment to peace and security in our country, and we deeply value their service”, he said.
On his part the President of Montenegro, speaking in Greek, said that Cyprus and Montenegro are great and eternal friends and thanked the President for Cyprus’ support to his country.
"In times of great challenges, such as the ones we are witnessing today, the thing that matters the most is having sincere, reliable friends. And this is what Cyprus is for Montenegro” he said. Montenegro and Cyprus, he added, “ground their relations not only on formalities, but on the conviction that also small states can have a strong voice when they adhere to clear principles and consistent policies. And although we are small, we are well aware of the values of peace, stability and freedom.”
“And that is why I believe that our friendship can become even stronger. We want more cooperation with Cyprus. We want more investments and more joint projects that will deliver more tangible improvements in living standards of our citizens”, he said.
Today, Milatovic said, Cyprus is already positioned as one of the most distinguished investors in Montenegro and expressed confidence that what comes ahead is a period of an increased connectivity in the fields of tourism, energy, infrastructure, logistics, and services. “We want to connect our business communities, our students, our universities, and our people. Because when people connect, ultimately lasting friendships between nations are built”, he said. It is therefore equally important to develop bilateral relations through education, science, culture, maritime affairs, and interior affairs, he added.
Milatovic also said that for Montenegro, “this is really a historical moment”, as the country will celebrate this year 20 years since it regained independence, “and when we are closer to European Union than ever before.” He expressed appreciation for Cyprus’ support for Montenegro’s European path.
Concluding, he said that Montenegro’s European dream was no longer a distant idea but has “real possibility of becoming a clear reality”, and that the country would not be able to achieve this dream “without some of our biggest friends like Cyprus.”
(Source: CNA)
