President Plevneliev: Bulgaria
Hopes that Montenegro Will Be
Invited to Join NATO by Year's End


Sofia, July 9 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev Thursday expressed the hope that Montenegro will be invited to join NATO by the end of 2015. He was speaking at a joint news conference with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, who is on an official visit to Bulgaria at Plevneliev's invitation on July 9 and 10.

In Plevneliev's words, Bulgaria is an advocate, big friend and one of the driving forces of the achievement of this positive result not only for Montenegro but also for the whole region. He noted that Bulgaria has declared more than once its firm and unconditional support for Montenegro's NATO and EU membership within various international formats.

Taking a question, President Vujanovic said that he expects Montenegro to be invited to join NATO, recalling the talks held during a recent visit of the NATO Secretary General to the country.

Plevneliev expressed confidence that in difficult and turbulent times the Alliance should think geopolitically and make bold decisions. In his words, there are membership requirements but, from a strategic and historic point of view, Montenegro should and deserves to become a NATO member as soon as possible. Montenegro's membership in NATO will give an encouraging signal and a very good example to the other countries in the Western Balkans, Plevneliev added.

The active political dialogue in the last years proves the excellent state of the bilateral relations, as well as the common will for more results in bilateral cooperation, the Bulgarian President said. "Our partnership is exceptionally active along the line of the Euro-Atlantic and European integration and on a bilateral basis. We are helping Montenegro in conformity with the new Memorandum of Understanding, signed last year," he went on to say.

Plevneliev also said that Montenegro supports the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process: connectivity in the region, transparency and efficiency of institutions, and cooperation for solving crises, such as the migration crisis and the fight against terrorism.

Among the main topics discussed by the two heads of state were the development of trade and economic relations, which remain below the possible potential, and the implementation of joint projects in energy and tourism. Bulgaria and Montenegro agree on the need of constructing a regional energy market. Bulgaria shows interest in the use of the high-voltage electric interconnection between Montenegro and Italy, which is expected to be finished in 2016.

Taking a question about the Balkan energy market, President Plevnelievs aid that having an energy exchange in Southeastern Europe is "a big and strategic idea which gets strong support". "The aim is to be independent of monopolists and non-market prices of electricity, gas and other energy resources," he said.

The two sides discussed projects which are attarcting the interest of potential Bulgarian contractors and for which Montenegro will hold public procurement procedures: mostly infrastructure projects, including construction of small water power plants.

They also discussed relations in education, science and culture.

President Vujanovic thanked for Bulgaria's support for his country's European integration and efforts towards NATO membership.

Later in the day, the Montenegrin President conferred with Bulgarian Parliament leader Tsetska Tsacheva. Tsacheva underscored the role of the parliamentary dimension of the Southeast Europe Cooperation Process as a factor of enhancing stability and cooperation in the region. VI, PK/DS/LN/


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