Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 117: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made contact with Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, following Montenegro's recent vote for independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20712/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While the Government has in the past had contact with Prime Minister Djukanovic, most notably during the visit which my predecessor Minister Cowen made to the region in May 2003, I have not myself been in direct contact with him.

At its meeting on 20 June 2006 the Government, in line with the common EU position as agreed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 12 June, decided to recognise Montenegro as an independent State, and to establish diplomatic relations. Following that decision, I have written to the Foreign Minister of Montenegro, Mr Miodrag Vlahovic, informing him of the Government decision and congratulating him on the peaceful and democratic way in which the people of Montenegro made their decision, and on the achievement of their independence.