Ambassador of the Republic of Italy visits the Municipality of Tivat
At the invitation of the President of the Municipality Željko Komnenović, the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Montenegro, HE Luka Zelioli visited Tivat and talked with the new local government about strengthening bilateral cooperation.
“You are the first foreign ambassador to visit Tivat since the change of government in Tivat, and thank you for that. I must note that the connection of Tivat and Boka with Italy through history and tradition is more than evident, and I hope to create stronger ties, which will result in concrete examples of international cooperation, especially in the cultural field, “said Tivat Mayor Zeljko Komnenovic. welcoming the Ambassador and his associate for cultural events Mario Teresa Albano. The president of the municipality pointed out the special importance of a greater presence of Italian investors in order to strengthen our ties, especially in the sphere of tourism”.
Ambassador Zelioli thanked the mayor for recalling Italy’s special connection with Boka, which has seen an increase in the number of Italian tourists visiting the area in recent years. He pointed out the intensive cooperation in the field of culture between the Embassy and the Italian Community of Montenegro in the cities of the Bay of Kotor, and expressed strong interest in intensifying cultural cooperation with the Municipality of Tivat, confirming readiness for the first initiative as soon as the epidemiological situation allows. Zelioli specified the importance of the existence of small and medium-sized Italian companies in Tivat and suggested that cooperation in the economic sphere in sectors of common interest be strengthened.
Bearing in mind that next year Italy, together with the United Kingdom, will co-chair the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP 26, this country pays special attention to activities in the field of environmental protection and economic sustainability. Boka – public maritime transport.
The reception was also attended by the President of the Municipal Assembly of Tivat, Dr. Andrija Petković, who pointed out the fact that the coastal part of Montenegro, especially Boka and the Italian coast share a similar mentality. “We love Italian fashion,” Calcio “, the San Remo festival … Many Italians have made a significant contribution to the work of the Boka Navy, and the people of Tivat still remember the old Italian doctors who worked in Tivat,” said Dr. Petkovic and expressed his wish that the Community of Italians in Montenegro improve cooperation with the Municipality of Tivat and organize cultural events in this city.
The vice president of the municipality, Goran Božović, reminded of the two fraternities that Tivat has with Italian cities, Mola di Bari (from 1969) and San Giacomo delle Schiavoni (from 2007), which should be revitalized. “I would also like to emphasize the cooperation of the Tivat International Carnival with carnivals from the regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. As Mediterranean countries, we share similar features of cultural heritage. Such cooperation brings people and countries closer, and I am sure that there is a lot of room for concrete cooperation when it comes to international projects, “Bozovic said.
Ambassador Zelioli recalled the success of many European Union-funded initiatives, citing the Italy-Albania-Montenegro cross-border program Interreg IPA, which includes the two Italian regions of Pula and Molise. He pointed out the possibilities that such a program can provide to municipalities like Tivat, with active participation and proposing projects. The Municipality of Tivat has successfully applied for its projects within this program in the past period.
The president of the municipality, Zeljko Komnenovic, announced that the cities of Boka will perform together in the future in order to increase the chances for better visibility of all activities, and thus to increase the chances for the success of the candidate projects.
