site.btaBulgaria, Montenegro Deepen Ties on EU Track

Bulgaria reaffirmed support for Montenegro’s EU path and moved to launch a Sofia-Podgorica air link, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Montenegro Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said Monday in Podgorica.

“Since Montenegro declared independence, Bulgaria has been a staunch supporter of this friendly country’s EU aspirations. This obliges us to deepen our bilateral relations, especially our economic ties, which depends on improving connectivity,” Zhelyazkov said. “Perhaps the most gratifying fact is that there is no other country with which Bulgaria enjoys such friendly relations and with which we have no unresolved bilateral issues,” Zhelyazkov added. “We have always supported countries in the enlargement process that prove merit is a functioning principle… Montenegro is a prime example of this,” Zhelyazkov said. “I hope this visit is not just political but one that will bring practical benefits… We will work seriously in this direction,” Zhelyazkov said.

Spajic said all negotiation chapters with the EU should close by the end of next year and that accession by 2028 would be historic. “The time has come to raise our bilateral relations to a higher and more visible level so Bulgarians will be able to visit Montenegro easily, and Montenegrins to travel just as easily to Bulgaria,” Spajic said. He also argued that adopting the euro would benefit Bulgaria’s economy, reduce inflation, and make life easier for investors and citizens.

Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov and Montenegro’s Transport Minister Maja Vukicevic signed an aviation cooperation agreement that starts work on a direct route. “This is the first important step towards launching a direct air link between our two countries, and our ambition is to make it a reality as soon as possible,” Karadjov said. “Bulgarian airport operators offer incentive schemes for air carriers launching new destinations. Carriers from Montenegro could benefit from these incentives,” Karadjov added. A joint expert group involving both transport ministries, aviation authorities, airport operators and a Montenegrin airline will prepare the route.

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh and Montenegrin Tourism Minister Simonida Kordic discussed joint products under the Destination Balkans initiative and reviewed the 2025–2027 action plan, with Bulgaria reporting 6,648 Montenegrin visitors in 2024 and nearly 26% growth in the first half of 2025. Kordic will join the ministerial panel at the 9th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism in Plovdiv on October 6–7, 2025.

Health Minister Silvi Kirilov and Montenegrin counterpart Vojislav Simun discussed cooperation, including steps toward implementing the European Health Insurance Card in Montenegro, with Kirilov noting that proposals to amend the bilateral social security agreement would be submitted. Both sides committed to continue the dialogue to deliver tangible results.