President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas is paying an official two-day visit to Montenegro as of Wednesday, following an invitation by its president, Jakov Milatović. He was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Yiannis Loverdos.
Their meeting was followed by extended talks between delegations and a joint press conference. At the latter, Tassoulas underlined that Montenegro serves as a model in terms of its accession to the European Union, while underlining that Greece fully supports the country’s accession and is prepared to help. The same holds true for Greece toward all Western Balkan countries, “which Greece has supported long term, provided there is respect of good neighborly relations and implementation of the needed reforms, especially in the sectors of rule of law and human rights,” he added.
President Milatović said the visit confirms the traditionally good and friendly relations between the two countries, and described Greece as one of the most active members of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” group that strongly supports EU enlargement and Montenegro’s accession. He also noted that Greece will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe in the second half of 2027, when Montenegro is expected to be in the last accession stage.
“Our countries are allies in NATO and this strengthens more the alliance and friendship, especially in the defense sector. I would like to remind that Greece protects our air space, along with Italy,” he noted.
The two presidents planted a maple tree at the Presidential Mansion’s Garden, and left for Budna, where Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić held a dinner in Tassoulas’ honor. The two officials are scheduled to meet in private.
