BILATERAL RELATIONS AND REGIONAL COOPERATION

Published date: 27.05.2003 00:00 | Author: Medjunarodna saradnja Crne Gore

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Neighbors
Arranging, development and improvement of relations with neighboring countries represents priority of Montenegro in the area of international cooperation. In that sense, Montenegro is firmly determined to resolve all open issues and establish bases, conditions and mechanisms for comprehensive cooperation with neighboring countries.
Montenegro is paying special attention to active and constructive engagement in solving important issues and strengthening stability and security in the region. Montenegro stands for consistent respect of Dayton-Paris agreement, Security Council Resolution 1244 as well as all other relevant international documents connected with the solving of the Yugoslav crisis. Montenegro actively contributes to solving opened issues and problems such as: respect for human rights and rights of minorities in former Yugoslavia region, return and reintegration of refugees and displaced persons, borders, succession and other issues and problems relevant for stabilization of the situation in the region. In addition, Montenegro stands for open and comprehensive cooperation in the region and cooperation between the region and the rest of the world, especially in the following: uninhibited flow of people and assets, liberalization of trade, establishing of duty free zones, maximum relaxation of visa and customs regime and full transparency of the borders. Apart from bilateral forms, Montenegro supports interest linkage of bilateral projects with international processes on regional and pan European level: OSCE, Council of Europe, EU programs, Stability Pact programs, Adriatic-Ionic Initiative, Central European Initiative, Alps-Adriatic programs, SECI and Royaumont Initiative.

Developed countries
Montenegro feels that development and strengthening of the relations with developed countries of the West is of an utmost importance. Bases for this are democratic and reformative programs and interest that these countries, along with neighboring ones, become priority partners because Montenegro sees its perspective in regional, European and trans-Atlantic structures. Montenegro is also interested in support of these countries in the process of its faster and more equal inclusion in the work of relevant international organizations (UN, OSCE) as well as in the process of gaining membership and other specific rights which would enable it to use assistance and support of international trade (WTO) and financial institutions (IMF, World Bank, EBRD).
Montenegro is especially interested in cooperation with the most influential EU members: Germany, France, Great Britain, Benelux countries, Italy, as well as all other countries, on the bases of joint interests and mutual benefit. Development and strengthening of the relations with USA is also one of the strategic goals of Montenegro in the area of foreign policy. For the purpose of strengthening its international identity, economic situation, technical and technological improvement, Montenegro maintains and improves relations with other developed countries of the world: Japan, Canada, Australia etc.

Russia and Central and Eastern European countries
Montenegro wants a stable and permanent development of the relations and cooperation with Russia. On the bases of good historical and current preconditions for development of these relations, Montenegro primarily wishes to improve economic relations with Russia. Montenegro is also interested in comprehensive development of cooperation in other areas: education, science, culture, and information.
Montenegro is paying great attention to the development of relations and mutually useful cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Montenegro has particularly good cooperation with these countries within regional integrations: Stability Pact, Central European Initiative, SECI, Adriatic-Ionic Initiative etc.

Countries of Africa, Asia and South America
In accordance with its possibilities and interests, Montenegro is paying appropriate attention to cooperation with the countries of these three continents. Montenegro pays special attention to cooperation with China, with whom it has established regular political and other contacts. Montenegro is open for specific and mutually beneficial visits with other countries of the so-called Third World.