(Adnkronos) – During an official visit to EU candidate Montenegro, Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday praised the “solidity” of the historic friendship and collaboration between the two countries, and Podgorica’s fight against organised crime.
“The intensity of our interactions and cooperation show the solidity of the friendship and collaboration that exists between our countries,” Mattarella said after talks in Cetinje with Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatovic.
The repatriation and laying to rest of Victor Emmanuel III’s widow Queen Elena of Montenegro’s remains at a shrine in northern Italy also demonstrates its “historic friendship” with Montenegro, Mattarella stated.
“In this framework of historical cooperation and affection between Montenegro and Italy we have strong economic relations and can increase these forms of collaboration in strategically important sectors such as as technology, seeing them as bilateral investments and collaboration,” Mattarella continued.
“Italy is a friend of Montenegro’s, it intends to collaborate with Montenegro in all areas and will always be at Montenegro’s side along this common path,” Mattarella said.
Mattarella also lauded Montenegro – which hopes to become the next Western Balkans country to join the EU – for its efforts in fighting organised criminal groups.
“Montenegro is waging a fierce battle against the mafia and must win this fight in order to survive as a state,” Mattarella underlined.
Milatovic thanked Italy for its “unwavering support” for Montegro’s EU entry bid.
“We want to join the EU in 2028 and that year Italy will hold the (rotating) EU presidency,” Milatovic told Mattarella.
