Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Milan Roćen met with Miroslav Lajčak, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, who is visiting Montenegro, and is participating at a regional conference on experiences in the field of the Euro-Atlantic integration and the visions of the Western Balkans.

Roćen and Lajčak expressed satisfaction with the development of the bilateral relations between Montenegro and Slovakia, and pointed out the two countres' mutual interest and need for intensifying them further. They particularly stressed the need for additional strengthening of economic ties, tourism and trade exchange, as well as cooperation in the areas of defense, education and culture. They agreed that the visits of the Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič to Podgorica, and the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Ranko Krivokapić to Bratislava would provide a good impetus in this vein.

Minister Lajčak emphasized a notable progress which Montenegro had made since regaining independence, and pointed out the role of Montenegro in the region in promoting good neighbourly relations and strengthening the overall regional stability. He said Slovakia fully supported Montenegro's European and Euro-Atlantic orientations, and that it stood ready do provide expert and other support to Montenegro, and share its experiences from these processes.

Minister Roćen thanked for the support, as well as to the contribution of the Slovak diplomacy, and of Minister Lajčak personally, to the affirmation of the European politics during the referendum process in Montenegro, and after the renewal of its statehood, as well as to the region as a whole. He particularly stressed the importance of the support that the Government of Slovakia was giving to Montenegro on its way towards the joining the EU and NATO.

Minister Roćen informed Minister Lajčak of internal political and economic processes, as well as of the Government's plans for implementing infrastructural and other projects in the upcoming period.

The two ministers also exchanged views on the developments in the region.