President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Darko Pajović paid a visit to Sofia today, where he attended the sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, at which the Protocol on Montenegro’s accession to the North-Atlantic Council was ratified by a great majority.    

During the visit to Sofia, President Pajović spoke with leadership of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria as well as with Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Daniel Mitov who, also, attended the sitting of the Bulgarian Parliament.   

In the conversation with Bulgarian officials, President Pajović expressed gratitude for the continuous support of Bulgaria to the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro. The President particularly thanked for the fast ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol for Montenegro.  

- Bulgaria has always been among the first countries when it comes to recognition - first the recognition of Montenegro after the Berlin Congress in 1878, then independence following the referendum in 2006, and now, when it comes to the Protocol, President Pajović stressed.

President Pajović expressed conviction that the process of fast ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol for Montenegro will continue in other states as well, because Montenegro’s membership would provide political stability not only of Montenegro but of the whole region.

- By NATO membership, Montenegro does not receive only privileges but also international obligations in contributing to spreading of peace and Euro-Atlantic values in the region and the world, Mr Pajović underlined.    

President Pajović stressed that relations between Montenegro and Bulgaria were friendly and based on mutual appreciation and respect, and that good foundation as well as great potentials in different fields, should be used for the further deepening of economic relations between the two countries.

The President emphasised the importance of parliamentary cooperation between the two states, expressing hope that in the following period, it would be even better and more comprehensive, especially with regard to EU and NATO integration.

All interlocutors praised the progress of Montenegro in the process of joining the EU and NATO, and voiced hope that it would maintain the continuity of putting efforts in fulfilling European and Euro-Atlantic obligations.  In addition, they expressed interest in further strengthening of friendly bilateral relations of Montenegro and Bulgaria.

Aside from President Pajović, delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro was composed of Mr Tarzan Milošević, President of the Friendship Group with Bulgaria.