Skopje, 31 March 2026 (MIA) – I come as a friend visiting friends, even as a brother in a brotherly country and I’m grateful for that. Our two countries share sincere friendship, mutual respect and our bilateral relations is an example of good neighbourly cooperation in the region, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović said speaking at a joint press conference in Skopje alongside his host, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

Milatović, who is paying Tuesday an official visit to the country, said the two countries also 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 said 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. Today’s meeting further enhances the trust, she stressed.

“What was new to both of us is the signing of a cooperation memorandum by the youth councils. I expect this memorandum to introduce creativity in our relations,” she said.

Stable and prosperous region integrated into the EU is a shared vision, Siljanovska-Davkova said, 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,” stressed Siljanovska-Davkova.

She agreed with Milatović that economic cooperation should be boosted, mainly in construction, tourism, energy and by reintroducing the Skopje-Podgorica or Skopje-Tivat flight.

Photo: MIA