Podgorica, 20.06.2016 – The Minister of Economic Development, Blerand Stavileci, accompanied by the President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Safet Gërxhaliu, attended today an official visit in Podgorica, where they met in separate meetings with his Montenegrin counterpart, the Minister of Economy Vladimir Kavaric, and senior management of the Montenegro Chamber of Commerce.

In the meeting with Minister Kavaric, Minister Stavileci emphasized that the time is right to push forward the common economic agenda of Kosovo and Montenegro, adding that chambers of commerce of both countries have already embarked on concrete steps to strengthen cooperation.

Stavileci underscored that the two countries could implement common projects under the auspices of regional cooperation which derives from the Berlin and Vienna Forums, adding that the development of infrastructure between Kosovo and Montenegro comprises a determinant precondition for the advancement of bilateral economic cooperation.

The meeting focused in the intensification of cooperation in the sphere of energy, transport and other sectors of common interest, on which both ministers expressed their readiness to advance economic agenda, whereas a bilateral economic Kosovo – Montenegro forum is expected sometime this year, as an important step for pursuing this line of action.

For his part, Minister of Economy Vladimir Kavaric expressed Podgorica’s readiness to cooperate closely with Prishtina in regional projects, making specific mention here of the gas pipelines and electricity interconnection.

Further, Minister Stavileci and his associates visited the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, where he emphasized that businesses build best bridges of cooperation and confirmed MED’s support for the implementation of the bilateral forum.

Safet Gërxhaliu, President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, requested in both meetings from Montenegrin authorities and officials to engage in the elimination of current barriers, including poor infrastructural links between countries, insurance policies, etc. Gërxhaliu underlined the significance of the bilateral economic forum, which will address all business needs and barriers and focus on concrete aspects of cooperation between the countries.