Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italian Republic, Franco Frattini, after attending the meeting of the Central European Initiative.

Minister Roćen expressed his gratitude to Minister Frattini on his personal contribution to the affirmation of the CEI as an important instrument of cooperation with the EU. He especially underlined the significance of the support that the Government of Italy provides for Montenegro and the countries of the region in their progress towards the EU and NATO and expressed the expectation that Italy will continue to be a constructive partner for Montenegro and the region in their pursuit of the strategic goals.

Minister Frattini congratulated Montenegro on the excellent presiding over the CEI, which, as he pointed out, should be the comprehensive promoter of joint interests, especially economic. He restated that Italy strongly supports the integration of Montenegro and the countries of the region as a whole in the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. He stressed that this is a matter of mutual interest for the region, as well as for the EU.

They agreed that the bilateral cooperation is excellent and that there are very good political contacts on the high level which additionally contribute to further strengthening of the overall relations between the two countries.