Tirana, Podgorica strengthen ties, free movement between two countries

TIRANA, Nov 9 – Foreign Minister Ilir Meta held an official two-day visit to neighboring Montenegro, invited by his Montenegrin counterpart Milan Rocen.
His talks focused on the performance of bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries, the latest developments in the region and issues related to the European and Euro – Atlantic integration.
Meta also held meetings with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic and Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.
Meta also met with leaders of the Albanian political parties in Montenegro.
With Rocen they considered bilateral relations between Albania and Montenegro as brilliant and commended the cooperation level between the two countries.
Meta spoke with optimism on the existing relations between the two countries, qualifying them as a “model for other neighbor countries intending to move on the integration path”.
Meta stated that Albania and Montenegro have excellent relations, adding that “these two countries have a shared vision and goal for the future – membership in the EU and NATO enlargement with the accession of Montenegro.”
Meta emphasized that with the membership of Montenegro in NATO, the Adriatic coast will be integrated to this important organization and it will increase security in the region, contributing in this way to the boost of economic development.
“We are in a new epoch whereby it is the competitive regions that produce more opportunities for foreign investments. Albania and Montenegro, thanks to a close cooperation will strengthen peace and security, consolidating economic situation as well,” said Meta.
Rocen commended the brilliant level of relations between the two countries and expressed the conviction that they would develop further in the future, especially in the economic level and that of trade exchanges.
Rocen dwelled also on the issue of the movement of citizens with both countries, emphasizing that “even after Montenegro would benefit from visa liberalization with the EU, his country would not change the visa regime with Albania; the Albanian and Montenegrin citizens will continue to travel visa free to their respective countries.”
Meta was convinced that “even Albania will be soon in the Schengen List”.
With regard to the issue of borders with Kosovo, Rocen stated that Montenegro has no border problems with its neighbors, underscoring that “the administrative delimitation of borders has taken place once and the state borders are already known. We do not have problems with Kosovo.”
Three cooperation agreements were signed between Albania and Montenegro.
They were the “Agreement on Mutual Travel of Citizens”, the “Readmission Agreement” and the “Agreement on the Reconstruction, Repair and Maintenance of Pyramids and Signals Alongside the Albanian – Montenegrin Borderline”
These agreements are another step in the field of order and security, whose provisions comply with EU legislation in this area. These agreements do not only ensure the continuation of the citizen’s free movement between both countries, but they ensure the border security, preventing illegal traffic, the illegal travel or residence of persons in the respective territories of both countries, said a ministry statement.
Both countries considered the agreements as a significant step in their relations.
Meta said that “in the future, there will be more shared projects drafted at the areas of environment, energy, education and culture.”
Meta and Prime Minister Djukanovic agreed on drafting a shared strategy for the mutual integration of both countries to the Euro – Atlantic structures.
Meta, after expressing Albania’s support for the membership of Montenegro in NATO, stressed that the close cooperation between the two countries adds to the safeguards for peace and stability in the region.
They also agreed in setting up the Economic Committee on strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries and expressed the will of both parties for cleaning and maintaining the Shkodra Lake.