Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic emphasized on Thursday that fostering good neighbourly relations is one of Montenegro’s top three foreign policy priorities, alongside its commitment to NATO and advancing its European Union path. Speaking during his official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milatovic underscored that regional cooperation may be Montenegro’s most essential foreign policy goal due to the interconnected history and future of the Balkans.

Milatovic met with members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, including Denis Beccirovic, Zeljka Cvijanovic, and Zeljko Komsic.

“Today, I am here as a friend among friends, and I believe this is the most important message I want to send. On behalf of Montenegro, I extend my condolences to the families affected by the recent floods and landslides in Jablanica. In such crises, countries in the region show their closeness and mutual support,” said Milatovic.

The president praised Montenegro's hosting of the recent Brdo-Brijuni Summit, expressing gratitude to the BiH Presidency members for their constructive engagement.

“Good neighbourly cooperation, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and appreciation, is fundamental to our foreign policy. It’s also a stable foundation for our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. Montenegro is committed to being a good neighbour, and I am here in Sarajevo today to reinforce that message,” he added.

Milatovic also emphasized the significance of infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity between Montenegro and Bosnia. He remarked on the need for improved transportation routes, having personally experienced the Sarajevo-Podgorica road condition during his travel from Podgorica.

“Sarajevo and Podgorica are the region’s closest capitals, just 170 kilometres apart. However, the road between them does not reflect that proximity,” he observed. He advocated for the construction of a joint bridge over the Tara River as a significant step toward improving the route and urged relevant BiH authorities to focus on upgrading the segment between Foca and the Montenegrin border.

Additionally, Milatovic expressed enthusiasm for co-hosting the “Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro Business Forum” with Denis Becirovic. He arrived with a delegation led by the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce to strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations.

“Expanding economic ties is essential, and this forum presents an excellent opportunity to focus on advancing our trade and investment links,” he stated.

The Montenegrin president also highlighted the need for joint railway infrastructure projects, sharing Montenegro’s interest in establishing a rail link between Capljina and Niksic to further integrate the Port of Bar with BiH’s economy. Another key infrastructure goal, he noted, is constructing the Adriatic-Ionian motorway, which aligns with Montenegro’s strategic priorities.

On the European path, Milatovic stressed that the shared objective of EU membership strengthens relations between Montenegro and BiH. He reiterated Montenegro’s goal of joining the EU as the 28th member by 2028 and welcomed Bosnia’s steps toward European integration.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro share a common goal in the EU membership journey. Montenegro is moving forward steadily, and we are pleased to see Bosnia and Herzegovina on this path as well,” he stated.

This marks Milatovic's third regional tour, following visits to Serbia and Croatia, reflecting Montenegro’s commitment to promoting strong neighbourly relations—a vital factor for full EU membership by 2028.