Mr Vuković expressed pleasure over the friendly relations between Montenegro and the Arab Republic of Egypt, highlighting the interest for promotion of bilateral cooperation and intensifying of contact at the high level, especially through the inter-parliamentary friendship groups and Committees of the two parliaments dealing with foreign policy.

H.E. Mohamed Abdel Hakam informed the Chairperson Vuković on the current situation in Egypt, and the events occurring after the civic unrests and this year’s revolution. Mr Hakam informed the Chairperson Vuković that the interim president of Egypt Mr Adly Mansour had proclaimed a decree envisaging amendments to the Constitution and holding of a referendum in Egypt, which would enable holding of the elections and he had made a decision to hold parliamentary elections in the beginning of the following year, after which presidential elections would be called for.

The Ambassador Hakam commended the notable results that Montenegro had achieved in the European integration process, and he pointed out the need for strengthening the normative grounds for cooperation of the two countries. With that regard, it was proposed at the meeting to initiate procedure for signing the Economic Cooperation Agreement, the Mutual Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, as well as the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

The Chairperson Vuković expressed the expectation that the carrying out of the plan of the new Egypt authorities would relieve the tensions and that the citizens of Egypt, at the democratically conducted referendum and elections, would choose the right path for the future.

He also informed his guest that the procedure relevant for forming of the Friendship Group between the Parliament of Montenegro and the Parliament of Egypt was nearly complete, and that the official confirmation of its composition was expected. Additionally, the Ambassador Hakam informed the Chairperson Vuković that, after the parliamentary elections scheduled for the beginning of 2014, the Parliament of Egypt would also form a Friendship Group with the Parliament of Montenegro.

It was concluded that the good political cooperation between Montenegro and Egypt should result in further promotion of economic relations, as well as that the further cooperation of the two countries should continue via the more frequent meetings.