Update 1.34pm - Austria, Zambia dignitaries meet Speaker

Montenegrin Ambassador Antun Sbutega paid a courtesy visit to Speaker Anglu Farrugia today, with the two discussing fledgling relations between the two states. 

Maltese President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca visited Montenegro last week, with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat having visited in January. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Dukanović paid Malta a visit last month. 

Mr Sbutega and Dr Farrugia also made reference to the Možura Wind Power Plant, which is being built by Enemalta, in their discussion. This is a clear sign of Malta’s commitment to engage with Montenegro in the field of clean energy, a government statement said. 

Malta reiterated its commitment to help Montenegro make further progress in accession negotiations when it was EU council president next year. 

Other issues of mutual interest, which include migration, cooperation at Parliamentary level as well as Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, were also discussed.

Local businessmen had the opportunity to explore investment opportunities in Montenegro last week following a meeting between Chamber of Commerce vice-president Tonio Casapinta and the president of Montenegro's Chamber of the Economy Velimir Mijuskovic.

The two discussed opportunities to collaborate in the English language teaching industry as well as the possibility of joint ventures in Health tourism, Arbitration and Mediation, as well as Alternative Energy projects.

Austria, Zambia dignitaries visit

Austrian Ambassador Michael Schwarzinger and Zambian High Commisison Gertrude Kasuba Mwape also paid Dr Farrugia visits this morning.

Mr Schwarzinger, who is based in Vienna, discussed Malta's upcoming EU presidency stint as well as Valletta's preparations for V18. Mala and Austria first established bilateral relations in November 1966. 

Ms Mwape, who is based in Rome, discussed opportunities for Zambian students to study at the Malta-based Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. Malta and Zambia first established bilateral relations in October 1972.