Minister Antonio Tajani’s mission to Montenegro and North Macedonia

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, is on a mission to Montenegro and North Macedonia, where he will meet the highest-ranking authorities of the two countries to reiterate Italy's ongoing commitment to the growth, stability, and European integration prospects of the Western Balkans region.

The Minister said: "The Western Balkans are a priority of our foreign policy to which we devote constant attention, including at the multilateral level, chairing the "Friends of the Western Balkans" group that I will reconvene in New York in a few days. With the missions and business forums carried out with all the countries in the region we are opening up new avenues to strengthen exports and investment by Italian companies".

In Podgorica, Minister Tajani will meet the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović. He said: "We are working to further strengthen our traditional ties with Montenegro. With the creation of a special joint committee we are fully implementing the Strategic Cooperation Agreement that President Berlusconi signed in 2010. The two shores of the Adriatic are getting ever closer".

Minister Tajani, who will open the works of the Italy-Montenegro Energy Table in Podgorica, added: "The integration of infrastructure and energy markets is a driver of growth, an extraordinary bridge that brings the Balkans closer to the European Union. The desired doubling of the submarine power line built by Terna will contribute to making Montenegro a real energy hub in the region and will strengthen the security of supply".

In North Macedonia, Minister Tajani will meet the President of the Republic, Gordana Silijanovska-Davkova, the Speaker of Parliament, Afrim Gashi, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Timčo Mucunski. Minister Tajani stated: "North Macedonia is a key partner in ensuring a future of prosperity and stability for the entire Western Balkans region. We are working to overcome all obstacles along the country's path to EU membership. There is a very large potential to further strengthen our bilateral relations, starting with cooperation in strategic and high value-added sectors".