H.E. Mrs. Dragana Radulovic presents her letters of credence to the President of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Mr. Ivan Gasparovic

Today, this Tuesday February 2nd, 2010 at 01:00pm local time, took place at the Grasalkovič Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, an official ceremony during which H.E. Mrs. Dragana Radulović, first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Montenegro to the Slovak Republic, presented her letters of credence to the President, H.E. Mr. Ivan Gašparovič.

In his welcome address to Ambassador Radulović, after wishing her every success in her work, the Slovak Head of State highlighted that the interaction between the two countries were very good and friendly, stressing that “Montenegro has achieved in a short period of time a leading position on its path to European integration in the Western Balkans,” and reiterating the readiness of Slovakia to help Montenegro with its experience in the process of accession to the Union.

As for her, Ambassador Radulović assured President Gašparovič that “Slovakia is perceived as a very successful country, from which Montenegro can gain valuable experience.” She also emphasized that the country’s support and assistance in Montenegro’s efforts to join the EU was widely appreciated, and confirmed the intention of the Montenegrin authorities to open a resident embassy in Bratislava, reciprocally awaiting the adoption by Slovakia of a decision on the opening of its representative office in Podgorica.

While expressing his hope that this historical moment in the relations between Montenegro and Slovakia will contribute to strengthening strategic bilateral ties in the spheres of politics, economy, investment and culture, President Gašparovič recalled that the issue of the stability in the Western Balkans was one of the priorities of the Slovak Foreign Policy.

“Economic development in Montenegro goes hand in hand with the EU integration process and it is very much appreciated that the Slovak Republic aims to assume the role of a kind of advisor in the Western Balkans on the EU accession process,” said Ambassador Radulović, recalling that Montenegrin authorities are convinced it is necessary to support the EU membership of all the countries of the Western Balkans, including Bosnia-and-Herzegovina and Albania. “Montenegro believes that Bosnia-and-Herzegovina has a future only as a single and multi-national State,” she added. “Only mutual co-operation and support is appropriated to achieve peace and stability in the Western Balkans.”

Ambassador Radulović will perform his duty on a non-residential basis, from Vienna, Austria. Slovakia recognised Montenegro’s independence on June 13, 2006, and the two countries established formal diplomatic relations the next month, on July 25.