BRATISLAVA, September 12, (WEBNOVINY) — President Ivan Gasparovic and his spouse Silvia are to leave for a three-day state visit to Montenegro on Monday evening. It will the first official visit of a Slovak president to the country, which declared independence in 2006. The primary aim of the visit is to strengthen bilateral cooperation among the countries, according to information from the President’s Office’s press department, provided by Sona Zanova. Montenegro’s Presidential Couple Filip and Svetlana Vujanovic are to officially welcome the guests from Slovakia at Tivat airport. Montenegro’s president is to host a dinner on Monday to honor his Slovak guests. Working program of Ivan Gasparovic and his delegation is concentrated on Tuesday, September 13.
On Tuesday, the program starts with opening of a business forum by both head of states. Next will be talks of Ivan Gasparovic with Prime Minister of Montenegro Igor Luksic and Speaker of Parliament Ranko Krivokapic. In the afternoon, President Gasparovic is to meet with his counterpart Vujanovic in his residence.
Within bilateral cooperation, special attention will be devoted to development of economic cooperation. Slovakia supports Montenegro’s EU and NATO aspirations. The president wants to inquire about the situation in western Balkans, too.
Slovakia is prepared to help Montenegro in areas where it has experience from its own successful integration process and NATO membership. In particular, this concerns the reform of the armed forces, civilian control over the armed forces, and public diplomacy. According to the presidential office’s press department, political relations among the two countries are excellent and have the potential to reflect in economic cooperation. Tourism is an important element in mutual trade. Between 15,000 and 20,000 Slovak tourists visit Montenegro during the summer season annually.
SITA