Montenegro's Djukanovic invites Turkish businesspeople to invest

Milo Djukanovic, president of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro and previously prime minister of Montenegro for three consecutive years, has called on Turkish businesspeople to invest in his country, which has recently enjoyed a growth rate of about 9 percent. Djukanovic said Montenegro is a country that is looking for investors to implement its development projects. "We have strong plans to develop our energy infrastructure, tourism, food production industry and transport sectors. That is why I think Podgorica really is a favorable destination for Turkish investors," he said. Describing political relations between the two countries as "excellent," Djukanovic said there have been several high-level visits between Turkey and Montenegro, an Adriatic country of 600,000 people. "Our economic relations are not developed enough. The explanation for this is very logical. Until recently Montenegro did not have a defined status in terms of a constitution; until recently this whole region was marked by pronounced political instability and poor security," he said. According to Djukanovic, in the few years since the independence of Montenegro, the country has become one of the most dynamic economies in Europe, but he added that the economic crisis of 2008 has also been affecting Montenegro, leading to a slow-down in investments. Montenegro is separated from Serbia under Djukanovic's leadership, and became independent following the May 2006 referendum. The European Union granted Montenegro -- which uses the euro as its official currency -- candidate status in 2010. The country's accession talks are likely to begin in June, provided Podgorica makes progress in dealing with organized crime and corruption. Noting that there are Turkish investors in Montenegro, he said he believes there is a positive future for Montenegrin-Turkish economic cooperation. There are a number of Turkish companies in Montenegro operating in the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors. Djukanovic said one of those firms -- ENKA, a major Turkish company -- has showed an interest in investing in Montenegrin airports. "There were contacts between steel manufacturers in both countries. In each area, there are inspiring cooperative projects and contact has already been made with potential Turkish investors. The airport in Podgorica will be looking for partners for further development. This is an open door for Turkish investors," he said. Montenegro's Prime Minister Igor Luksic will be in Ankara on Wednesday for an official visit with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss economic relations further. Asked about Montenegro's multi-ethnic communities and if the Muslim community in Montenegro is integrated with society, Djukanovic said things are going well in that respect. "Not only the Bosniak party, but also other minority parties -- for example, ethnically Albanian parties and minority groups -- see Montenegro as their home," he said adding that minorities strongly supported Montenegro's independence, believing that they will be able to maintain their civic and minority rights by staying in Montenegro. "We also have extraordinarily good cooperation with the Islamic community in Montenegro, which is now led by Rifat Feyzic. It is a community which contributes very constructively to promoting good relations in Montenegro," he added.