The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Ian Borg, met with the Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Ervin Ibrahimović, for official talks in Malta on Friday.
During these talks, the two Deputy Prime Ministers discussed several matters of mutual concern and reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, based on common interests, values, and objectives. They explored new opportunities for closer cooperation in several areas, including tourism.
Minister Ibrahimović and Minister Borg also signed a new agreement to establish closer cooperation in diplomatic training. This memorandum of understanding provides a framework for the organisation of joint training programmes, the exchange of information and experiences related to diplomatic training, and other related collaborations.
In a statement to the media after the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Borg thanked his Montenegro counterpart for visiting Malta, adding that Friday’s talks will continue to advance the positive relations between the two countries.
“Our talks also focused on Montenegro’s ongoing accession process to the European Union and Malta’s support for Montenegro’s EU perspective. Malta is open to exploring cooperation with Montenegro in the framework of support for the EU enlargement process”, Minister Borg said.
The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were also on the meeting’s agenda. “Malta has been steadfast in its efforts to see that these conflicts come to a peaceful solution as soon as possible, which can only be achieved through diplomatic means,” Minister Borg added.
Minister Borg also offered to share Malta’s experience in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the upcoming 2025 Council of Europe (CoE) Presidency with Montenegro. Montenegro is aiming to be elected to the UNSC for the 2026-2027 term and will succeed Malta with the Presidency of the Council of Europe in 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Ervin Ibrahimović emphasised the shared commitment of Montenegro and Malta to the Mediterranean region. He also remarked that there is ample room for closer cooperation, especially in the fields of economy and tourism.
“My visit today is an expression of commitment to intensifying contacts and strengthening political dialogue, which will also influence the dynamics of our cooperation. Our countries have many similarities, and we want to take advantage of that potential.”
The minister also expressed gratitude over the excellent cooperation at the multilateral level as well as for Malta’s continuous support for Montenegro’s EU path.
“During Malta’s presidency of the EU Council in 2017, Montenegro opened two chapters and temporarily closed one. At that time, and in the years that followed, Malta clearly advocated for the accession of Western Balkan countries to the European Union, stressing that enlargement policy is the strongest tool of the EU’s foreign policy, and we in Montenegro greatly appreciate that”, he added.
Malta and Montenegro established bilateral relations in 2006.
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Photos (ODPM-MFET / DOI)
