Bulgaria will continue to strongly support Montenegro’s European aspirations, President Rumen Radev said on Monday after meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart, Jakov Milatović. He praised Montenegro’s recent progress on its EU accession path, including the closure of key negotiating chapters at the end of last year.
Milatović is on a two-day visit to Bulgaria, with talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties in economy, connectivity, education and science, culture, security, and regional cooperation in Southeast Europe.
“This visit confirms the excellent relations between Bulgaria and Montenegro at the highest political level,” Radev said. “Our two nations share centuries-old cultural and spiritual ties, a common historical background, and today we build on that through shared values, mutual trust, and constructive cooperation within NATO and other international forums. We look forward to soon sharing these commitments within the European Union as well.”
Radev underscored joint efforts for regional security and stability, highlighting Montenegro’s decision to contribute troops to NATO’s multinational battle group on Bulgaria’s territory.
The Bulgarian president also addressed the prospect of a direct air link between Sofia and Podgorica, expressing confidence that ongoing discussions involving government officials and airline representatives would lead to an agreement soon. “Such a connection will strengthen our relations across multiple sectors,” he said.
Trade and economic exchanges, Radev noted, remain below their potential, with tourism offering a key opportunity for collaboration. He pointed to Bulgaria’s “Destination Balkans” initiative as a platform to attract long-haul visitors to the region through joint tourism packages.
