BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ŽELJKO KOMŠIĆ VISITS MONTENEGRO

PODGORICA, Montenegro (December 12,2007) - The Bosnian President Željko Komšić is visiting Montenegro, where he met with the highest officials of Montenegro and officially opened the Bosnian Embassy in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica.

His stay in Podgorica President Komšić used for separate meetings with the Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović, the Montenegrin Prime Minister Željko Šturanović and the Montenegrin Assembly President Ranko Krivokapić.

The Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović congratulated the Bosnian citizens on initialing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union, wishing Bosnia to sign it as soon as possible.

They stated the high level of understanding and friendship between the two countries’ peoples as well as the fact that there are no open issue between Bosnia and Montenegro.

They underlined the need for accelerating the negotiations in relation to the railroad transport enhancement, especially Čapljina-Nikšić line, and in that sense, for the meeting between the competent ministers and directors of the Bosnian and Montenegrin railroads.

They also emphasized that during the next meeting that should be held in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, as a confirmation of that high level of understanding, the Agreement on Borders should also be signed, because it is the topic without any problematic issues.

The Bosnian and Montenegrinn presidents agreed that it is necessary to continue the talks and the cooperation between other state organs as well, which could contribute to the solving of the joint interests and their enhancement, as internally, as well as toward the EU.

The Bosnian President Komšić invited the Montenegrin President Vujanović to visit Bosnia, which he gladly accepted.

Talking with Montenegrin Prime Minister Šturanović they also stated the high level of congruence in understanding the situation in which the economy and the executive organs of both of the countries. They noticed the possibilities for further relation enhancement, especially in the field of energy, the development of Sarajevo-Foča-Šćepan polje-Nikšić-Podgorica road lines and connecting the Bosnian economy with the Port of Bar in Montenegro.

They also talked about other issues of economic significance for the both countries, and suggested the possibility of an agreement between the both countries’ competent ministries. In that sense, the Montenegrin Prime Minister was invited to visit Bosnia, which Šturanović accepted.

On that occasion, Šturanović informed the Bosnian President that the Montenegrin Government would donate 100.000 Euros for the school and the clinic reconstruction in Luke village in Srebrenica.

Talking with Montenegrin Assembly President Krivokapić,the Bosnian President Željko Komšić exchanged views on the Assembly’s work and on the role of the politicians in realizing the multiethnic and religious relations, as a possible example for successful connection, within the country and with the countries in the region. Considering the rich experience of Krivokapić and his positive approach to these problems and the evident results in his country, were the reason for President Komšić to invite Krivokapić in a friendly visit to Bosnia.

The Bosnian State Delegation’s visit to Montenegro, led by President Komšić, was assessed positively and would surely contribute to the understanding and the better cooperation of the both countries’ peoples and their path to NATO and EU.