Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen took part yesterday in the International Conference on Afghanistan in Kabul, which gathered high representatives of the states contributing to the ISAF mission, regional states, IOs, financial institutions, and the civil sector. The biggest summit ever held in Afghanistan, opened by President Hamid Karzai and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a continuation of the London conference, has given full support to the Government of Afghanistan in its efforts to stabilise the situation in the country through the implementation of projects in the spheres of economy, strengthening of the political dialogue and the process of reconciliation, regional cooperation, and the combat of narcotics-trafficking and corruption.

Before great challenges our world faces today, even the small countries like Montenegro have their share of responsibility. We are confirming this by participating at this High-Level meeting dedicated to finding ways for the stabilization of Afghanistan. Also, of course, by participating in the ISAF Mission. The success of our common endeavor is of vital importance for the future of Afghanistan. But it is also inseparable from regional and global context as well. The road leading to our ultimate goal is long and hard. What is important is that we are moving forward without a pause. The very fact that this meeting is held in Kabul, as we have agreed in London, is encouraging. I would like to thank the Government of Afghanistan and to all who have contributed to the organization of the event.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Milan Roćen expressed condolences to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Ilir Meta, over the traffic accident in which fourteen Albanian citizens died.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen will depart today for Afghanistan, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Zalmai Rasul, to attend the International Conference on Afghanistan held in Kabul tomorrow. The Conference will be opened by the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.

The Conference will gather together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and High Officials of more than 70 states, international and regional organisations and financial institutions.

Minister Roćen will also have a number of bilateral meetings with Heads of Delegations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen spoke today at the OSCE Meeting in Almaty which brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs of OSCE Member-States, partner countries and the representatives of international organisations. The meeting was opened by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbajev. The participants exchanged opinions on the progress so far and on the future perspective of the Corfu process, ways to enhance the dialogue on common Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian security and the challenges currently facing the Organisation, especially in the context of regional conflicts. At the Meeting it was agreed that the next OSCE Summit, the first one after eleven years, will take place by the end of the year.

I would like to greet you on behalf of Montenegro. I would like to thank Kazakhstan and Minister Saudabayev on the excellent organization of the meeting. We are especially grateful to the Chairmanship for their efforts to facilitate dialogue in the Corfu process. This has resulted in a comprehensive Interim Report which comprises the positions of the participating states. Great numbers of food for thought documents distributed in this process so far are the best evidence of our common interest to strengthen the European and Euro-Atlantic security.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen had a number of bilateral meetings during the first day of his visit to Almaty, where he is attending a two-day OSCE Ministerial Meeting.

The host, Minister Kanat Saudabayev thanked Montenegro for its support to Kazakhstan’s Presidency over this Organisation and its very constructive cooperation. Talking about the priorities of the Chairmanship he expressed assurance that the final decision regarding the next OSCE Summit in Astana taking place later this year will be made at this Ministerial Meeting.

Permanent representatives of Montenegro and Botswana to the United Nations in New York, Ambassadors Milorad Šćepanović and Charles Thembani Ntwaagae signed on July, 15, 2010 the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplonatic Relations at the ambassadorial level between the two countries. They agreed that this Agreement contributes to further deepening of friendly relations and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral level.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen departed today to Kazakhstan, at the invitation of the OSCE Chairman and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kanat Saudabayev. Minister Roćen will attend the two-day OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Almaty , dedicated to the development of dialogue and strengthening of common Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian security.

Minister Roćen will also have a number of bilateral meetings with Heads of Delegations of the OSCE Member-States.