Montenegro interested in "Scandinavian model"

PODGORICA The Montenegrin Foreign Ministry says the country is interested in setting up joint diplomatic offices with regional countries following the Scandinavian model. The Montenegrin Foreign Ministry told Tanjug that Podgorica is already conducting talks with countries in the region concerning the matter. Montenegro interested in "Scandinavian model" The Ministry noted that Montenegro and Macedonia have already signed a bilateral agreement on joint accommodation for diplomatic and consular offices. “Such arrangements contribute to greater cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency of the work of diplomatic and consular offices and they also make room for faster expansion of the diplomatic network with visibly reduced costs, while the accommodation for embassies of regional countries in one building strengthens the visibility of interests and potentials of both individual countries and regional possibilities,” the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry said. The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated previously that it will make such an offer to countries in the region so as to cut the costs of the diplomatic network and set up joint representative offices abroad. Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic said that Belgrade contacted Skopje, Podgorica, Sarajevo and Ljubljana to this end. “We are closest to an agreement on the matter with Macedonia and Montenegro and we will continue with the realisation of the plan for expansion of the diplomatic and consular network, but we will also make the same offer to all those who are interested in joining us. This would reduce the costs and at the same time make it possible for the countries in the region to be better represented and more visible in many parts of the world, and to make better joint presentations on third markets,” Mrkic said. A view of Podgorica (file) Tanjug

Montenegro interested in "Scandinavian model"

The Ministry noted that Montenegro and Macedonia have already signed a bilateral agreement on joint accommodation for diplomatic and consular offices.

“Such arrangements contribute to greater cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency of the work of diplomatic and consular offices and they also make room for faster expansion of the diplomatic network with visibly reduced costs, while the accommodation for embassies of regional countries in one building strengthens the visibility of interests and potentials of both individual countries and regional possibilities,” the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry said.

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated previously that it will make such an offer to countries in the region so as to cut the costs of the diplomatic network and set up joint representative offices abroad.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić said that Belgrade contacted Skopje, Podgorica, Sarajevo and Ljubljana to this end.

“We are closest to an agreement on the matter with Macedonia and Montenegro and we will continue with the realisation of the plan for expansion of the diplomatic and consular network, but we will also make the same offer to all those who are interested in joining us. This would reduce the costs and at the same time make it possible for the countries in the region to be better represented and more visible in many parts of the world, and to make better joint presentations on third markets,” Mrkić said.