BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 15. Montenegro welcomes Azerbaijani investments and sees significant potential for deeper economic engagement across several priority sectors, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) held from April 11 to April 13.
He noted that these include tourism, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture—all areas where Azerbaijan’s expertise and capital could make a meaningful contribution to our economic development.
“A prime example of our successful investment cooperation is the Portonovi project, a landmark development on Montenegro’s coast that exemplifies the kind of high-quality, strategic investment we aim to attract and expand. Beyond these traditional sectors, we are also eager to explore new opportunities in sustainable development, digital transformation, and innovation-driven industries, which align closely with Montenegro’s long-term strategic priorities for inclusive and diversified growth,” said Ibrahimović.
The Deputy PM pointed out that Montenegro and Azerbaijan enjoy long-standing, friendly, and constructive bilateral relations, underpinned by mutual respect and a shared vision for deeper cooperation.
“Our current priorities are focused on enhancing political dialogue and expanding collaboration across key strategic areas, including energy, tourism, trade, infrastructure, and culture. I am also pleased to share our satisfaction with the rising number of Azerbaijani tourists visiting Montenegro, largely attributed to the seasonal, direct flight connection,” said Ibrahimović.
He recalled that the recent political consultations in Baku, held at the level of senior officials from both Ministries of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
“Both sides expressed readiness to intensify interparliamentary dialogue and to advance preparations for the next session of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation—an important mechanism for translating our partnership into concrete, mutually beneficial outcomes,” added Montenegro’s Deputy PM.
Energy cooperation
Ibrahimović pointed out that Montenegro is strongly committed to enhancing its energy security and sustainability through strategic partnerships and regional cooperation.
“In this context, Azerbaijan stands out as a key and reliable energy partner. We are actively working on developing the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks to support energy diversification, and are closely following what Azerbaijan is doing in our region in this regard. Some strategic projects hold considerable potential to contribute to enhanced energy connectivity in Southeast Europe, with Montenegro positioned as both a beneficiary and a potential transit route. In that regard, we are very interested in deepening our cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector, particularly in the context of gas supply and investments,” he added.
Planned visits from Montenegro to Azerbaijan
“Following the successful round of political consultations in Baku, we are currently coordinating a number of high-level visits planned for the course of this year. These engagements will serve to further reinforce our bilateral agenda and deepen cooperation across a broad range of sectors,” noted Ibrahimović.
He believes that particularly significant is the upcoming session of the Montenegro-Azerbaijan Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.
“We anticipate this meeting will result in actionable steps aimed at further strengthening trade, investment, and sectoral collaboration, while also providing a renewed impetus for our broader economic partnership,” the Deputy PM added.
Montenegro’s agenda at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum
“The Antalya Diplomacy Forum has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading high-level platforms for dialogue on foreign policy and global security. This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” deeply resonates with Montenegro’s foreign policy vision and values. It encapsulates the very principles we stand for—dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding—especially in an era marked by increasing tensions and global polarization,” he said.
Ibrahimović noted that at this year’s Forum, Montenegro underscored the urgent need to restore trust in diplomacy as the cornerstone of international relations.
“In today’s complex global environment, genuine dialogue is not merely an option—it is an imperative. We used the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with regional and global partners, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to multilateralism, peaceful conflict resolution, and regional cooperation amidst rapidly evolving geopolitical challenges,” he concluded.