Skopje, 1 April 2026 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova and Montenegro's President Jakov Milatović, who is paying an official visit to the country, will hold a joint lecture at the Iustinianus Primus Faculty of Law, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM) in Skopje on Wednesday. 

President Siljanovska Davkova welcomed the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, to Skopje at a ceremony with the highest state and military honors on Tuesday. The official reception was followed by a tête-à-tête meeting and a joint press conference with a message of shared vision for a stable and prosperous EU-integrated region with a focus on regional cooperation. 

Milatović said the two countries share deep historical closeness, reaffirmed by mutual solidarity and support.

“We’re sending messages of regional cooperation and good neighbourly support. We appreciate the fact that North Macedonia was one of the first countries that had recognized Montenegro, which laid the foundation for the development of our bilateral and diplomatic relations,” he stated.

The Montenegrin President noted that the two countries share sincere friendship, mutual respect and bilateral relations are an example of good neighbourly cooperation in the region.

He pointed out that the European perspective of the two countries takes up a special place with Montenegro strongly supporting the country’s European path.

“This country in us will always have an ally and a strong support. We aim at becoming the 28th member of the EU and prove that the European perspective of this region isn’t a dream, but a reality,” noted Milatović.

On her part, President Siljanovska Davkova said she had confirmed with her counterpart that their countries serve as an excellent example of regional good neighbourly ties, good example of cooperation also within NATO, adding that Tuesday's meeting further enhanced the trust.

She stressed that stable and prosperous region integrated into the EU is a shared vision, and the EU-Western Balkan summit, due in Montenegro, is a proof that the issue of membership of the region is not an issue related to the future, but an issue that can become a reality.

“Full integration of the Balkans is necessary for the EU to really become an inspiring community. Regional cooperation isn’t only our commitment, but also a right. International support to the Western Balkan countries is an imperative, I believe. If we don’t respect each other, if we don’t understand each other, we are making the EU process harder for ourselves,” said Siljanovska Davkova.

As part of the official visit on Tuesday, the Youth Councils of the two presidents signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. 

Photo: MIA