The Governments of the Montenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) — as immediate neighbours of both the Republics of Serbia and Kosova and as countries with unequivocal European and Euro-Atlantic orientation — have agreed to issue the following joint statement in the context of decisions taken in relation to the recognition of the Republic of Kosova:

Montenegro and Macedonia have consistently supported the process of negotiations between Belgrade and Priština, and they consider the plan of the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Kosovo-Metohija Status Settlement to be a good foundation for finding solution that would contribute to permanent stability and to the new European and Euro-Atlantic prospects of the region. The Declaration of Independence of Kosovo-Metohija came after the failure of international community’s efforts to Belgrade and Priština to achieve a negotiated solution on Kosovo-Metohija status.

Montenegro and Macedonia are committed to finding permanent stability, peace, security and progress for all the countries of the region, with unequivocal European and Euro-Atlantic prospects. In that way, Montenegro and Macedonia will strive for improvement of regional co-operation institutionalised through regional initiatives as well as for full implementation of the free flow of people, goods, capital and ideas.

 Taking into consideration that Kosova institutions made commitment to fully implement principles and provisions in the plan of the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Kosovo-Metohija Status Settlement, the two countries support the building of democratic institutions in Kosova with aim to foster a multi-ethnic society in which the rights of all ethnic communities on cultural, religious and language identity will be guaranteed.

The decision to recognise Kosova by Montenegro, as a potential European Union candidate country, and Macedonia, as a European Union candidate country, is a result of a careful political assessment and is based on conclusions adopted by the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council on February 12, 2007 and February 18, 2008, as well as on decisions taken by the European Council on December 14, 2007.

Montenegro and Macedonia, guided by core principles of their foreign policy for building good-neighbourly relations with all their neighbours remain committed to further development and deepening of relations with the Republic of Serbia in all areas of common interest, as well as to maintaining traditional close ties among the three countries and their peoples. Simultaneously, the two countries will continue to render support to the Republic of Serbia on its path towards European integration.

 Montenegro and Macedonia are firmly convinced that the European integration of countries of the region in the spirit of the Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans represent a solid and stable basis for faster economic progress, social development and prosperity which will bring better life to all its citizens.

Background
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2780th ER Council meeting, Brussels, February 12, 2007

Declaration of Independence of Kosovo-Metohija (February 17, 2008)

2851st ER Council meeting, Brussels, February 18, 2008

Constitution of the Republic of Kosova (June 15, 2008)