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Update No: 120 - (30/05/07)
Montenegro the proud and free
The Montenegrins are enjoying their newfound independence one year later. There
is no doubt that a re-run of the referendum that brought it about would be won
by a far more substantial majority today than the barely 55% that was obtained
then - just.
Montenegro is on the map, with droves of tourists and property seekers. Nestled
in the eastern corner of the Adriatic shore, the country is known for its
beaches, its pine forests, and its Mafia-connected smuggling and other
activities. The ideal location in fact for the latest James Bond movie, Casino
Royale.
Security is, indeed, a perennial problem. As always the US, which has just sent
its own sharpshooter, Clifford Bond no less, to sort out a security problem in
Sebrenica, Bosnia, is being called in to help.
U.S. Troops - in Montenegro?
A "defence" pact recently signed by the U.S. and the tiny Balkan
nation is a "status of forces" agreement which, according to Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice, "establishes a basis for United States military
personnel to operate in Montenegro for mutually agreed activities."
After all these years, the US is finally going back to the Balkans. What will
American troops be doing in Montenegro? Remember way back when, when Republican
members of Congress were denouncing U.S. intervention in the Balkans and
threatening to withhold funding for troop operations? Why, it seems like only
yesterday!
Perhaps the Bush Administration is paving the way for the Democrats to intervene
in a bigger way - that always was their preferred area of operations. One
assumes that a Democratic administration will be just as tough as Russia, as,
say, Dick Cheney had been - and establishing a U.S. base in the Adriatic is
bound to infuriate Moscow, and it is designed to do so.
Back in the 1990s, Republicans were saying that the US had no real interests in
the Balkans, and that it ought to get out forthwith. Today, a Republican
President is sending American troops to the make-believe country of Montenegro,
the Grand Fenwick of the Balkans, for no discernible reason other than to annoy
Moscow and add to its empire of military bases. (Although, given Bush's history
on the Balkan intervention question, his move into Montenegro isn't all that
surprising….)
Leader Of Republic Of Montenegro Meets With Baldacci
Montenegro had in fact already been paired with the Maine National Guard under a
federal partnership programme that pairs US state militias with those of
emerging democracies. While Maine's initial contact with the country was
military, there are hopes of more civilian exchanges.
Under unusually heavy security for Maine's capital, Governor John Baldacci met
on May 2nd with the president of the Republic of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic, at
the Blaine House. "I want to welcome you, Mr. President, to Maine. It's an
honour for you and for us to have you here, to establish a strong bond between
the newest country in the world, the newest democracy in the world, and the
state of Maine. We're honoured by your presence," said Governor Baldaccci.
Last winter, a delegation from Maine visited Montenegro, and apparently found
many similarities there, including its environmental concerns and growing
tourist industry.
President Vujanovic exchanged gifts with Baldacci, and invited him to visit the
Balkan country. Baldacci accepted, but no time has been set.
US ready to back Montenegro's EU and NATO integration
The Montenegrin president also went to Washington, where again cordiality
reigned supreme. US Vice President Richard Cheney said during talks with
President Vujanovic that the USA is ready to back Montenegro's EU and NATO
integration.
Cheney assessed positively the military reforms in the country and supported its
ambitions to join the Euro-Atlantic Alliance as soon as possible. Vujanovic
thanked the USA for its quick acknowledgement of Montenegro's independence.
Inaugural Greek economic ties with Montenegro eyed
Closer to home, relations with Greece are all important, the natural leader of
the Balkans. Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas concluded a
groundbreaking series of contacts with Montenegro's top leadership on May 3rd in
Podgorica, outlining at least three sectors for budding cooperation between EU-member-state
Greece and the newly independent state in the western Balkans.
Sioufas was received by Montenegrin President Vujanovic and Prime Minister
Zeljko Sturanovic, among others, where he reiterated Athens' volition to support
Montenegro's European integration and to aid its economic convergence with the
rest of the continent via the Greek government's structural fund for the
Balkans.
Energy issues -- as Sioufas holds the energy portfolio in the Greek government
-- also dominated talks, as the minister proposed a bilateral agreement on the
sector, along with agreements on SMEs and R&D exchanges.
In talks with Sturanovic, the latter briefed Sioufas on Podgorica's reforms and
efforts to join Euro-Atlantic institutions, while he thanked Athens for its
support. Both sides also expressed a readiness to schedule a meeting between the
Greek and Montenegrin prime ministers in the near future.
During a meeting with Minister for Economic Development Bradimir Gvozdenovic,
the two sides discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation, with the first
step being immediate cooperation deals between the two countries' chambers of
commerce.
A huge tourist potential
Montenegro can become a world tourist brand if it takes advantage of the
potential that it has - said the director of the World Tourist Organization (WTO)
for Europe Luigi Cabrini in an interview with "Vijesti."
"The potential of Montenegro - its mountain area, natural parks, and
coastal region - is there. It just needs to be used in the right way. You can
become a brand not just thanks to the potential which you have but also because
of the fact that many people outside of Europe do not know where Montenegro is,
and don't know that it even exists, and tourists like that" - added Cabrini.
Cabrini is the first official representative of the WTO who has visited
Montenegro. After the meeting with the president of the Government Sturanovic he
said that Montenegro in November will become the 151st full right member of WTO,
and he used the visit to open the seminar in Kolasin under the patronage of WTO
dedicated to the sustainable development on which the work of that organization
is based on.
He went on to make several specific points:-
"In previous years because of the political and historical context you
couldn't use what you had, being cut off in a time warp. Now you are in an
exquisite situation to become a recognizable brand in this part of Europe with
the combination of the already mentioned potential and with a rich cultural
heritage. You must admit that many people outside of Europe do not know that
Montenegro exists. But that is not a defect. On the contrary, if you have in
mind that people are accustomed to travel, and that they have seen a lot of
places, and that they wish to see new undiscovered destinations, Montenegro is a
jewel to be relished" - explained "Vijesti."
"While visiting Montenegro I was greatly impressed; but there is a lot that
needs to be done. That is a normal process, because in order to attract tourists
you need good hotels, new infrastructure, attractions which will not be tightly
bound to the narrow seasonal character of tourism." - explains Cabrini,
adding that WTO will help Montenegro to achieve the positive branding.
"A master plan of the development of tourism should be developed in harmony
with the life environment and with all aspects of sustainable development for
which WTO pledges full support." Cabrini says.
"In the WTO, we think that the trend of growth of world tourism in the
following years will be from 4 to 5 % per annum. Last year 840 millions of
tourists visited foreign countries; and until 2020 we are expecting that that
figure will reach 1, 6 billions. These records go to benefit of Europe, which
today is the biggest market when we are speaking about the reception of
tourists. Montenegro should be a spectacular beneficiary." - concluded
Cabrini.
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FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Greece seeks inaugural economic and energy ties
Greek Development Minister, Dimitris Sioufas, was received by Montenegrin
President, Filip Vujanovic, and Prime Minister, Zeljko Sturanovic, in Pogorica
recently, Mmnews reported.
Sioufas concluded a ground-breaking series of contacts with Montenegro's top
leadership. During the meeting, Sioufas outlined at least three sectors for
budding cooperation between EU-member-state Greece and the newly- independent
state in the western Balkans. He also reiterated Athens' volition to support
Montenegro's European integration and to aid its economic convergence with the
rest of the continent via the Greek government's structural fund for the
Balkans. Being responsible for the energy portfolio in the Greek government,
energy issues also topped the agenda of the meeting. Sioufas proposed a
bilateral agreement on the sector, along with agreements on SMEs and R&D
exchanges. Sturanovic briefed Sioufas on Podgorica's reforms and efforts to join
Euro-Atlantic institutions, while he thanked Athens for its support. Both sides
also expressed a readiness to schedule a meeting between the Greek and
Montenegrin prime ministers in the near future. During a meeting with Minister
for Economic Development Bradimir Gvozdenovic, the two sides discussed bilateral
trade and economic cooperation, with the first step being immediate cooperation
deals between the two countries' chambers of commerce.
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