Malta supports Montenegro’s bid for EU accession

Malta is supporting Montenegro's bid for EU accession, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella announced today.

The minister held talks and signed a memorandum of understanding with Montenegro's deputy prime minister, and minister for foreign affairs, Igor Luksic.

Explaining that the two countries shared similarities Vella said Malta not only supported Montenegro's application to the EU but was committed to share the accession experience.

On his part, Luksic thanked the Maltese government for the continuous support and said that his government was particularly interested to explore cooperation with Malta in fields such as health, business and culture.

"Montenegro can learn a lot from the experience Malta has gathered throughout the accession period with the EU," he said.

This was the first time both countries held official talks despite diplomatic relations having been established in 2006.

Since then, the two countries cooperated politically in different areas especially in training of Montenegrin public officials. Bilateral agreements have been signed in areas covering mainly air services, avoidance of double taxation and the readmission of persons.

The MoU signed today at the Foreign Affairs Ministry serves as a framework to facilitate regular consultations on aspects of bilateral relations and for a regular exchange of views to take place on international issues of mutual interest, including the possibility of taking joint initiatives.

The MoU also sustains bilateral cooperation between diplomatic services covering the areas of training and education.

Continuing in the tradition of previous years, Malta, through the Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies has offered and will continue offering training to Montenegrin diplomats. Maltese diplomats have also undertaken diplomatic training in Montenegro and this cooperation is expected to continue in the years to come.