The president of the National Council, Dominique de Buman, received Ivan Brajovic for the first official meeting between a president of the Montenegrin parliament and his Swiss counterpart. Mr Brajovic was attending the 138th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union taking place in Geneva between 24 and 28 March.
The talks between the two presidents focused in particular on Montenegro’s role and geographical location in the Balkans, as well as on prospects of developing bilateral economic relations. Given the similarities between the two countries in terms of size, particular attention was given to the tourism sector, particularly by Montenegro. Switzerland is one of the leading countries in terms of investment in Montenegro: the two presidents expressed the mutual desire to intensify trade and relations. This first official visit also provided an opportunity to address the most important stages in Montenegro’s recent history since declaring independence in 2006, recognised by Switzerland the same year, such as the ongoing process of European integration.
Montenegro, like Switzerland, is represented in the parliamentary assemblies of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Switzerland attaches great importance to stability in South-eastern Europe and therefore appreciates the positive role played by Montenegro in that respect. Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Montenegro are wide ranging and covered by bilateral agreements in a range of fields of mutual interest: trade and cooperation, double taxation, investment protection and promotion.