Foreign Minister Kotzias’ statements during a press conference with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Montenegro, Igor Lukšić (Montenegro, 26 June 2015)

N. KOTZIAS: I would like to thank the government of Montenegro for its hospitality, and I also want to thank Igor personally. It is nice to be among friends in difficult times. Our relations with Montenegro show that diplomacy is not just for resolving problems, but also for developing creative relations for the future.

Greece and Montenegro have no pending problems, and this is significant in difficult times like today’s. But they have common dreams and prospects: the European dream, cooperation in the Mediterranean and the support we give for the country’s accession to NATO, which, as far as I can tell, is broadly accepted in the country.

We want our cooperation to extend to all sectors, as my counterpart also said: to education, technology, research and investments, trade and the major networks in the Balkans, the sectors of military cooperation and the institutions in the Balkans and in the European Union.

Montenegro and Greece have common visions for peace, security and stability in the regions of the Balkans, the Mediterranean and throughout Europe. We know that the major problems of the era call for cooperation. My counterpart and I are working so that there can be a foundation of cooperation between our two countries in the broader frameworks.

We are linked by common elements of history and culture. We are linked by many common values and visions. And this visit, like the Minister’s visit to Greece in the autumn, is an important step towards building a better future in the Balkans and the Mediterranean, and towards Montenegro’s accession to the Euroatlantic structures, which Greece has firmly supported.

Igor, a thousand thanks for your hospitality, your kindness and the good and positive will for further cooperation.