Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic integration, social cooperation dominate the talks of Minister Mitov and Minister Lukšić
01 February 2016 News
Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Mitov reaffirmed Bulgaria's support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro during a joint press conference with visiting Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić. Minister Mitov added that Montenegro is an important partner of Bulgaria in Southeastern Europe and its future ally in NATO and the EU. Minister Lukšić together with Bulgarian Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivailo Kalfin and Minister of Health Petar Moskov signed an Agreement on Social Security and the Administrative Agreement on its implementation between the Republic of Bulgaria and Montenegro.
During the talks Daniel Mitov and Igor Lukšić welcomed the excellent regional cooperation and the two countries' participation in formats such as the South-East European Cooperation Process and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The two ministers also discussed the state of bilateral relations and topical issues of the international agenda.
"Bulgaria is ready to continue the excellent cooperation with Montenegro in the field of European integration which was established with the beginning of the negotiations with the EU in 2012," said Minister Mitov. He welcomed the work on a new Memorandum of Cooperation in European and Euro-Atlantic Integration which involves enhancing partnership in fields such as energy, justice, home affairs, and EU's common foreign policy and security policy.
For his part, Minister Lukšić thanked Bulgaria for the support on the road to EU and NATO and welcomed the joint efforts of the two countries for overcoming challenges on the Balkans and in Southeastern Europe. In this context Minister Mitov said that Bulgaria will encourage Montenegro's reform process in the rule of law, defence and public opinion until its NATO accession.
With regard to the Agreement on Social Security and the Administrative Agreement on its implementation, Minister Mitov expressed hope that this active sector cooperation will facilitate bilateral relations in various areas of interest of the people from both countries. For his part, Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivailo Kalfin said that by signing the document the citizens of Bulgaria and Montenegro preserve their medical and social insurance rights when traveling in both countries. Minister Lukšić added that the agreement sets a solid groundwork for protecting the interests of the people and strengthening cooperation on high and the highest level.
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