PMs highlight economic benefits of upcoming highway between Montenegro, Serbia

Montenegro and Serbia are eager to grasp business opportunities from soon-to-be-built highways between the two nations, the prime ministers of the two countries said Friday.

Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, on his first official foreign visit, said Serbia and Montenegro have common goals when it comes to economy and that the Belgrade-Podgorica-Bar highway would significantly contribute to their development by creating more business opportunities.

However, he pointed out that "peace and security in the region of the Western Balkans must be ensured in order for both countries to realize these business opportunities."

Following the break-up of the union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, the two countries continued to independently pursue membership in the European Union.

Serbia isn't a member of NATO while Montenegro opted for NATO membership and is awaiting ratification to become a full member of the alliance this spring.

"We used to be together but now we have to bring some independent decisions and have to look after our own interests," Markovic said.

His Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic told a joint press conference that Serbia and Montenegro have "good and friendly" relations and agreed that peace and security in the region are essential for future growth.

"We have a common goal of foreign policy which is membership in the EU. On the other hand, Montenegro is on its way to become a NATO member country while Serbia wishes to maintain its neutrality. This speaks about our mutual respect. We don't see their decisions as a threat to Serbia," Vucic said.

He stressed both countries need more EU support "not only for our path toward European integration and accession chapters," but also to realize major infrastructural projects.

Markovic will also meet President Tomislav Nikolic, parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic and other Serbian state officials. Enditem