October 25, 2005 — President Vujanović meets French Ambassador to Serbia-and-Montenegro:

The President of the Republic of Montenegro, Mr. Filip Vujanović, received today Ambassador of France to Serbia-and-Montenegro, Mr. Hugues Pernet. The participants in the meeting were also representatives of the Société Générale, headed by its Director for Europe, Mr. Jean-Didier Reigner.

President Vujanović expressed his satisfaction due to a fact that such an influential bank, as the Société Générale, entering into the agreement on control block of shares purchase of Podgorička Banka made its début in Montenegro. He said he truly believed that other great French investors would follow this example, since this privatization process, by itself and direct experience to be gained in Montenegro would just be a good recommendation for new investors.

The Société Générale representatives informed President Vujanović that current economic situation in Montenegro had been the main recommendation and how they were convinced in their future great contribution to further affirmation of positive economic ambiance in Montenegro.

October 26, 2005 — Finance Minister Igor Lukšić meets French Ambassador to Serbia-and-Montenegro:

Montenegrin Finance Minister, Mr. Igor Lukšić, talked today with Ambassador of France to Serbia-and-Montenegro, Mr. Hugues Pernet. The participants in the meeting were also representatives of the Société Générale, headed by its Director for Europe, Mr. Jean-Didier Reigner.

Minister Lukšić said that the signing of a contract on the sale of the Podgorička Banka control package of shares to the Paris-based Société Générale Group proved that the general level of risk of investing in Montenegro was dropping significantly. He added that the document was of major significance, as regards both the regaining of people’s trust in the Montenegrin banking system, as well as overall reforms and economic development.

Minister Lukšić also informed his guests that the inflation in Montenegro was at the projected level, that the budget deficit, as well as the public debt, was dropping, and that unemployment had dropped to less than 20 percent, while the Gross Product reached the realistic growth of five percent in the first half of the year.

October 31, 2005 — President Vujanović meets French Ambassador to Serbia-and-Montenegro:

Montenegrin President, Mr. Filip Vujanović, received today in Podgorica French Ambassador to Serbia-and-Montenegro, Mr. Hugues Pernet.

Recent acquisition of the majority share in Podgorička Banka by the Société Générale is an important step in further development of the bilateral co-operation between Montenegro and France, the two officials agreed. (...)

December 1, 2005 — Montenegrin President Vujanović received the new Head of the French Office in Podgorica:

Montenegrin President, Mr. Filip Vujanović, received today French Ambassador to Serbia-and-Montenegro, Mr. Hugues Pernet, and the new Head of the French Office in Podgorica, Mr. Yves Barelli.

The collocutors agreed that there are wide possibilities for co-operation between Montenegro and France in all fields, particularly in the field of economy. Recent coming of the Société Générale, as one of the most significant world banks to Montenegro will be a strong impulse to further co-operation, it was said at the meeting.

President Vujanović wished Mr. Barelli a successful mission in Podgorica and said that still available areas and potentials of mutual interest provide guarantee for a new and extensive co-operation.