Blanar to Visit Montenegro with Austrian and Czech Counterparts

Bratislava, 30 September (TASR) - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) will visit Montenegro on Thursday and Friday (1-2 October), scheduled to make the trip together with Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka as part of the Austerlitz Format (S3: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia), TASR learnt from the foreign ministry press department on Wednesday. The visit aims to reaffirm support for Montenegro's integration process and its ambition to become a member of the European Union. "Slovakia has been an active and long-standing supporter of the integration of Western Balkan states into EU. Montenegro is the furthest advanced in this process, and its successful progress is also important for the stability and prosperity of the entire region. Through the Austerlitz Format, too, we want to be a partner supporting Montenegro on its path towards EU membership and in implementing the necessary reforms," Blanar stated. In Podgorica, the ministers will hold talks with Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic. "The talks will revolve around the current state of Montenegro's EU accession process, developments in the Western Balkans, regional cooperation, as well as hybrid threats and energy and transport infrastructure in the region," the ministry reported. The foreign ministers will also meet Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic and Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. mf