Montenegro ready to intensify cooperation with Azerbaijan in gas, green energy - Ervin Ibrahimović (Exclusive interview)

[ad_1] BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 5. Montenegro is prepared to accentuate cooperation with Azerbaijan in fuel sphere, as effectively as inexperienced vitality sector, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović mentioned in an unique interview with Development, as he not too long ago visited Baku.

“Montenegro and Azerbaijan historically preserve pleasant and partnership-based relations, and my go to to Baku aimed to additional contribute to their enhancement, the strengthening of interstate ties, and the continuation of a steady, open, and constructive political dialogue. Throughout substantive talks with the Minister of International Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, and Minister of Finance Sahil Babayev, we collectively famous that relations between our two nations are at a excessive degree, characterised by constructive dynamics and cooperation in quite a few areas of mutual curiosity,” he mentioned.

Ibrahimović identified that the conferences in Baku supplied a invaluable alternative to contemplate concrete modalities for his or her additional deepening.

“Particular consideration was dedicated to the financial system, with a concentrate on tourism, investments, and vitality, whereas we additionally mentioned modalities of cooperation within the subject of international affairs. We additionally exchanged views on present world processes and expressed help for the signing of the Joint Declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on 8 August 2025, as an necessary step in direction of attaining lasting peace, regional stability, and prosperity.

Throughout my keep in Baku, I had the chance to familiarize my Azerbaijani counterparts with Montenegro’s international coverage priorities, significantly our sturdy dedication to European integration. I introduced Montenegro’s ambition to finish EU accession negotiations by the tip of 2026 and be prepared for membership by 2028, in addition to latest tangible outcomes, together with the closure of 5 negotiation chapters on the Intergovernmental Convention in Brussels in December,” mentioned the deputy PM.

He believes that the official go to to Azerbaijan was extremely profitable, substantive, and productive, and that it additional strengthened the foundations for the continued improvement of cooperation between Montenegro and Azerbaijan, to the mutual good thing about the residents of each nations.

Montenegro’s curiosity in importing Azerbaijani fuel

“Montenegro has a transparent curiosity in importing Azerbaijani pure fuel, which we view as a part of a broader technique to strengthen vitality safety and diversify provide sources. We see vitality as one of many key improvement potentials and are able to intensify cooperation and the trade of data and expertise, significantly within the fields of fuel and renewable vitality sources,” mentioned Ibrahimović.

He recalled that throughout the go to to Baku, discussions had been held on subsequent steps in vitality cooperation, together with the opportunity of organizing an intersectoral assembly to contemplate varied modalities of cooperation, in addition to potential alternatives associated to the distribution of Azerbaijani fuel to Montenegro.

“These points will even be additional mentioned throughout the framework of the upcoming session of the Joint Fee for Financial Cooperation. On this context, it's significantly necessary to emphasise the importance of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), which Montenegro’s Vitality Improvement Technique till 2030 identifies as probably the most sensible choice for the gasification of the nation at this stage.

The IAP is envisioned as the ultimate phase of the Southern Gasoline Hall, by way of which fuel from the Shah Deniz subject in Azerbaijan, by way of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, could possibly be delivered to nations within the area, together with Montenegro. The undertaking enjoys sturdy help from the European Union and Euro-Atlantic companions, is acknowledged as a Undertaking of Widespread Curiosity, and is included in the EU’s Single Listing of Infrastructure Initiatives, making it a political and strategic precedence. Provided that Montenegro at the moment lacks fuel infrastructure, the potential implementation of this undertaking would open area for vital international investments and allow secure pure fuel provide, whereas concurrently lowering air pollution and strengthening regional connectivity,” mentioned the deputy PM.

Partnership in inexperienced vitality and sustainable improvement

“I see cooperation between Montenegro and Azerbaijan within the subject of inexperienced vitality and sustainable improvement as extremely promising and complementary, significantly in view of our commitments beneath the Paris Settlement and Montenegro’s standing as a candidate nation for EU membership. Our strategic orientation is to base the event of the vitality sector on the ideas of decarbonization, inexperienced vitality transition, and elevated use of renewable vitality sources, consistent with the European Inexperienced Deal,” mentioned Ibrahimović.

The deputy PM identified that Montenegro plans to take a position intensively in renewable vitality sources, enhance vitality effectivity, and construct infrastructure to attach with regional and European vitality methods.

“On this course of, Azerbaijan’s expertise, experience, and references—each in standard vitality and within the more and more sturdy improvement of inexperienced vitality options—characterize vital cooperation potential.

We take into account cooperation within the subject of fuel as a transitional vitality supply significantly necessary, in addition to cooperation within the improvement of renewable vitality and sustainable vitality initiatives that contribute to emissions discount and long-term vitality stability. I'm satisfied that by way of intensified political dialogue, trade of experience, and the conclusion of concrete agreements, Montenegro and Azerbaijan can additional deepen their partnership and collectively contribute to sustainable improvement and vitality safety, each bilaterally and regionally,” he defined.

Additional strengthening diplomatic relations, upcoming joint occasions

Ibrahimović famous that for the reason that institution of diplomatic relations, Montenegro and Azerbaijan have repeatedly labored on their improvement and on figuring out new modalities of cooperation, consistent with acknowledged frequent pursuits and primarily based on the ideas of openness and friendship.

“Political dialogue in any respect ranges is carried out at a passable tempo, and quite a few areas of cooperation are grounded in a secure contractual and institutional framework, encompassing a sequence of bilateral agreements and memoranda. On this context, the latest go to to Azerbaijan was a possibility to evaluation current types of cooperation and determine areas with extra potential for enhancement. A very vital step ahead was the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation within the subject of consular affairs between the Ministries of International Affairs of the 2 nations, which additional improves institutional cooperation and the high quality of providers supplied to residents,” mentioned the deputy PM.

He went on so as to add that an necessary phase of cooperation is additionally realized on the multilateral degree, significantly throughout the United Nations, by way of coordination and mutual help of candidacies inside worldwide organizations and boards.

“I see extra potential for strengthening diplomatic relations by way of the intensification of parliamentary cooperation, by way of actions of interparliamentary friendship teams and exchanges of high-level visits, in addition to by way of additional improvement of cooperation in areas of mutual curiosity. Common bilateral political consultations between the Ministries of International Affairs, in addition to consular consultations, additionally make an necessary contribution to strengthening diplomatic relations, enabling steady trade of views, enhanced institutional cooperation, and extra environment friendly decision of problems with significance to the residents of each nations. These mechanisms verify our shared dedication to open communication and the deepening of mutual belief. By such a complete strategy, Montenegro and Azerbaijan can additional strengthen political, institutional, and general bilateral relations, to the mutual good thing about our states and residents,” he added.

Ibrahimović identified that over the previous 12 months, the 2 nations have created the situations for organizing concrete actions that may contribute to the additional improvement of the interstate friendship.

“Subsequently, we glance ahead with optimism to the approaching 12 months, in which Montenegro will mark the twentieth anniversary of the restoration of its independence—a possibility to implement plenty of concrete actions and initiatives that may additional improve cooperation between Montenegro and Azerbaijan. On this regard, we welcome bulletins of continued political dialogue and high-level visits, which is able to present alternatives for signing cooperation agreements at the moment in process, reminiscent of these within the fields of agriculture, vitality, and avoidance of double taxation,” mentioned the deputy PM.

He significantly emphasised the significance of holding the 4th session of the Joint Fee for Financial Cooperation, deliberate for the primary half of March 2026.

“This session will present an necessary alternative for a complete evaluation of current cooperation and for the concretization of future actions in areas reminiscent of vitality, tourism, and investments, in addition to training, science, innovation and expertise, public administration, and digitalization,” mentioned Ibrahimović.

Moreover, he sees scope for additional improvement of cooperation within the subject of tradition, in addition to for strengthening ties between universities and educational establishments of the 2 nations.

“On this context, I want to spotlight the already signed Cooperation Settlement between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of International Affairs of Montenegro and ADA College of Azerbaijan, which incorporates the trade of younger diplomats, group of joint conferences, and trade of lecturers.

I additionally imagine that enhancing direct air connectivity is of specific significance for the general relations between our nations. Establishing common year-round flights, in cooperation between Montenegrin and Azerbaijani air carriers, would supply a sturdy impetus for the event of tourism, enterprise contacts, and general people-to-people cooperation. The implementation of these actions and initiatives will additional strengthen our bilateral relations and open new alternatives for long-term and substantive cooperation between Montenegro and Azerbaijan,” the deputy PM added.

Mutual funding alternatives

Ibrahimović famous that Montenegro is conscious of and welcomes the rising significance of Azerbaijan as a strategic hub within the regional and world financial system.

“Montenegro’s participation within the First Worldwide Funding Discussion board in Baku demonstrates Azerbaijan’s efforts to diversify its financial system, in addition to our readiness to acknowledge funding alternatives throughout quite a few sectors. We imagine that stability, peace, and sustainable improvement within the area, together with the reconstruction and improvement of the Karabakh space, create a good setting for funding. We anticipate the Azerbaijani market to draw the eye of Montenegrin traders, significantly those that, by strengthening their capacities and thru regional cooperation, search to develop into credible members in a demanding funding market,” he mentioned.

The deputy PM believes that significantly promising areas for funding embody vitality, infrastructure, innovation, inexperienced vitality, actual property, city improvement, and initiatives primarily based on the ideas of sustainable improvement.

He went on so as to add that extra promotion of Azerbaijan’s funding alternatives in Montenegro might considerably contribute to raised informing the enterprise group and encouraging concrete investments that will improve financial ties between our nations.

“On this context, the position of financial diplomacy is especially necessary in connecting establishments, enterprise communities, and traders of the 2 nations, with these elements of cooperation to be additional mentioned throughout the framework of the upcoming session of the Joint Fee for Financial Cooperation,” mentioned Ibrahimović.

He famous that along with deepening cooperation within the vitality sector, Montenegro acknowledges vital alternatives for Azerbaijani investments in tourism, which represents one of many key sectors of the nation’s financial improvement.

“The prevailing Settlement on Cooperation in Tourism between the Governments of Montenegro and Azerbaijan from 2011 supplies a authorized framework for additional investments and strengthening mutual ties. A vital variety of Azerbaijani vacationers go to Montenegro, with a steady enhance in arrivals and in a single day stays, confirming Montenegro’s rising recognition as a vacationer vacation spot. Direct flights between Baku and Podgorica or Tivat additional facilitate entry and strengthen tourism and financial connectivity.

When talking concerning the high quality of investments in Montenegro, I all the time spotlight with satisfaction the funding within the luxurious advanced Portonovi, some of the vital and recognizable Azerbaijani investments in Montenegro, which has develop into an emblem of profitable cooperation between our nations. This funding has considerably contributed to the event of tourism, enhanced Montenegro’s worldwide visibility, and strengthened its positioning as a prestigious vacationer vacation spot. We see such examples as a mannequin we want to additional encourage by way of future initiatives and new partnerships with Azerbaijani traders,” mentioned the deputy PM.

He identified that along with tourism and vitality, Montenegro want to see investments from Azerbaijan in infrastructure initiatives, well being and congress tourism, in addition to sustainable improvement initiatives in nationwide parks and northern Montenegro.

“The development of key infrastructure initiatives, such because the Bar–Boljare freeway, opens extra funding alternatives and will increase the accessibility of much less developed areas.”

Ibrahimović famous that Montenegro’s NATO membership and its anticipated accession to the European Union additional strengthen investor confidence, confirming that Montenegro is a secure, secure, and predictable setting for funding.

“The Authorities of Montenegro principledly helps all severe and accountable investments, and expertise with current Azerbaijani investments exhibits that joint initiatives can considerably contribute to general financial cooperation between our nations.”

Montenegro’s position in strengthening Azerbaijan-NATO relations

Ibrahimović identified that Azerbaijan is a crucial NATO accomplice, and the Alliance has maintained a secure and long-standing relationship by way of political dialogue, safety sector reform, and efforts to strengthen interoperability.

“This partnership has been additional bolstered by the Particular person Partnership Motion Plan (IPAP), which outlines cooperation priorities within the fields of defence, safety reforms, and anti-corruption. We had been happy that in November 2025, a delegation of NATO everlasting representatives, together with Montenegro, visited Azerbaijan for the primary time. This go to supplied an glorious alternative to deepen political dialogue and reaffirm NATO’s dedication to its partnership with Baku, recognizing its position as a key issue of stability within the Caucasus area,” mentioned the deputy PM.

He famous that Montenegro additionally welcomes Azerbaijan’s cooperation with NATO in establishing an Anti-Terrorism Coaching Centre, as effectively as its participation in NATO applications for civil preparedness and emergency administration by way of the Euro-Atlantic Catastrophe Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC).

“I imagine that Montenegro can actively collaborate with Azerbaijan in strengthening defence and civil capacities in these areas, each throughout the NATO framework and thru bilateral initiatives,” Ibrahimović concluded.