It is a great pleasure to be in Montenegro ahead of today’s Business Forum.
Let me first express my appreciation to His Excellency, Filip Vujanović, The President of Montenegro, and his Government, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality which is extended to me and to my delegation.
I am pleased to note that my meeting this morning with President Vujanović, together with our respective delegations, has been very constructive in setting an agenda for future collaboration.
Our discussions this morning touched upon a vast array of subjects, including the EU integration and accession, as well as the political situation of both our regions and the potential for closer business links between our countries.
Let me also express my confidence in the work that will be done by so many stakeholders from the business communities of both our nations, later on today.
I am confident that, by working together we shall achieve ever greater cooperation. The importance that Malta gives to building closer collaboration with Montenegro, and to fostering the friendship that exists between our peoples, is clear.
The commitment for further collaboration was evidenced, by exchange visits of our top government officials during the past months, among them both our Prime Ministers; and also, by the signing of an agreement on science and technology, and Memorandum of Understanding on health and on economy.
Malta is also eager for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on certificates of competency and training of seafarers, together with an agreement in the field of education.
Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2017 will provide further opportunities to deepen that friendship, and to facilitate Montenegro’s participation in the union’s expanding family of nations.
In this way, we shall be better able to share economic and social opportunities, and advance common interests in a spirit of solidarity.
The histories and cultures of Malta and Montenegro, while different, share a strong and mutual sense of self-determination.
It is this confidence in our abilities, and our special place in the world, that shall guide us to achieve the mutual enrichment of our nations and our peoples.
Indeed, in today’s realities, our countries are important gateways into two regions of tremendous, and increasing, potential.
There is much scope for closer collaboration between our countries, and between the European-Mediterranean and the Balkan regions.
Consequently, both Malta and Montenegro are able to provide unique opportunities for access, knowledge-sharing, and expertise.
The reason for my visit is to work together to discover how these opportunities can be developed into further tangible collaboration and partnerships.
We are here to explore the concrete potential of our business endeavours, to ensure prosperity and to subsequently gain mutual benefits for our peoples.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Montenegro on the 10th Anniversary of Montenegro’s Independence.
This independence is proof that the people of Montenegro have kept loyal to the values of integrity, independence, and freedom, and to their history, which provides a firm foundation for the future.
I am pleased to note that Montenegro now enjoys the respect and recognition of all Europe, and of the international community.
Montenegro has since built the infrastructure of a strong economy, and Malta is proud to be a collaborator in furthering that success.
It is also inspiring to see that Maltese investments in Montenegro’s energy sector are proof of our common commitment to environmental sustainability.
By prioritising clean and renewable power sources, we send a strong message about our duty to safeguard the natural environment, alongside opportunities for economic growth.
We must keep building on such initiatives, and unite the diverse skills, resources, and abilities of our peoples and nations.
In this way, we shall promote ongoing trade and investment between the business communities of our countries.
It is only by encouraging cooperation that we can ensure, and maintain, mutually beneficial progress for the peoples of Malta and Montenegro.
I am convinced that both our countries will continue striving to achieve social and economic wellbeing in the lives of all individuals and communities within our nations.
Thank you.