Ivanović pays official visit to Luxembourg: European agenda in focus

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović is paying an official visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where he met with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Foreign Trade Xavier Bettel.

The two officials noted that this year marks 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Montenegro and Luxembourg, as well as 20 years since the restoration of Montenegro's independence, assessing that this represents an additional incentive for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The meeting focused on Montenegro's European path, with an emphasis on its commitment to meeting the criteria for European Union membership. DPM Ivanović thanked Luxembourg for its continuous support and expressed expectations that it will continue in the coming period. He informed his counterpart about the reforms Montenegro is implementing, particularly highlighting the so-called "blue flag" laws within the European agenda, which are adopted with broad political consensus, as well as the intensive work of the Government and Parliament in fulfilling obligations from the negotiation process.

He also pointed out that this is an exceptionally important year for Montenegro, considering that the country has assumed the presidency of the Berlin Process and will take over the six-month presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in November.

DPM Bettel congratulated Montenegro on its current and upcoming presidencies, emphasising the importance of remaining consistent in fulfilling European criteria and noting that Montenegro is on the right path, while expressing satisfaction with its future membership in the European Union. On that occasion, he reiterated the full and unequivocal support of the Government of Luxembourg for Montenegro's EU membership.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of organising a second round of bilateral consultations between the two ministries of foreign affairs, as well as further improving overall relations.

The two officials also exchanged views on regional and global developments, jointly assessing the importance of a stronger presence of the European Union in the Western Balkans region.

Both sides expressed readiness to continue intensive political dialogue and further deepen cooperation.