Montenegro is not only an ally within NATO but also a reliable partner on its path toward European Union membership, said Czech President Petr Pavel. Speaking at the Montenegro-Czech Business Forum, he emphasized that the collaboration between the two countries is not only vital for Montenegro but also for the wider region, offering an opportunity for countries to work together without obstacles on their EU journey.
Pavel stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in areas such as business, research and education, with a particular focus on key industries like transportation, energy, infrastructure and defense. He highlighted the growing significance of cybersecurity defense, noting that it is not only a future concern but an urgent necessity to strengthen resilience and prepare for upcoming challenges.
“Our goal is to create long-term, reliable partnerships based on mutual trust. We are ready to dedicate ourselves to these objectives, believing that our joint initiatives will benefit both our countries and the region as a whole,” Pavel stated.
Deepening economic relations
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović remarked that the visit of Czech President Pavel presents a valuable opportunity to focus on deepening economic relations, which, according to Milatović, have not yet reached their full potential. He praised the Czech Republic’s economic achievements, particularly in the face of the difficult economic transition in the 1990s, which preserved strong state brands while building modern IT infrastructure and a successful digital economy.
Despite challenges, the Czech Republic has experienced impressive economic growth in recent decades, reaching the level of developed OECD countries. The latest economic strategy of the Czech government aims to position the country among the top 10 EU member states by GDP per capita by 2040. This vision, backed by tangible results, also serves as an inspiration for Montenegro to accelerate reforms and align with European standards.
“For Montenegro to succeed in this vision, like the Czech Republic, it is essential to invest more in infrastructure, education, and research,” Milatović emphasized.
He also expressed hope that more Czech investors would see the potential in Montenegro, and through collaboration, the two countries could strengthen their economic ties, ultimately benefiting both nations. “We need more of the Czech Republic in Montenegro,” he added, confident that the business forum would mark the start of a new, dynamic phase in their bilateral relations.
A beacon of success
Nina Drakić, President of the Montenegro Chamber of Commerce, expressed her satisfaction with starting the business year with a bilateral forum with the Czech Republic, a country Montenegro views as a model on its European journey. She noted the impressive growth in trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism exchanges, each seeing an increase of about 50% compared to the same period last year.
Drakić highlighted that Montenegro, an import-dependent economy, has a relatively favorable export-to-import ratio with the Czech Republic, which provides added motivation to further improve economic relations. She also emphasized the importance of such meetings in promoting and internationalizing Montenegro’s economic potential, encouraging investment, and fostering collaboration.
A shared vision for the future
Katerina Kupkova, Vice President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, emphasized that their goal is to strengthen and deepen the partnership between the two countries by exploring new opportunities for mutual growth.
“The Czech Republic is known for its strong industrial base, technological innovations, and highly skilled workforce, while Montenegro stands out for its strategic location, favorable investment policies, and growing sectors like tourism and energy. Both countries share common priorities in areas such as tourism, renewable energy, and attracting foreign investment,” Kupkova said.
The Czech delegation, which includes nearly 20 companies from sectors like energy, defense, aviation, infrastructure, transport, mining, IT solutions, and engineering, reflects these priorities. Kupkova concluded by highlighting the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and infrastructure development to increase competitiveness, with special attention to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises as key drivers of resilience and innovation.
