Activities of Secretary-General in Montenegro, 22-23 July
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, together with his wife, Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived from Croatia to Podgorica, Montenegro, on the afternoon of Sunday, 22 July.
His first appointment in the country was a meeting with Nebojša Kaludjerović, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
Accompanied by Mr. Kaludjerović, the Secretary-General toured the site of the future common United Nations premises in Podgorica, which, upon completion, will house some 60 staff members.
Speaking to reporters, the Secretary-General said that the new Eco Building will reflect two of the United Nations priorities: first, it will be energy-efficient, carbon-neutral and sustainable; and second, it will provide common premises for all five United Nations organizations operating in Montenegro so they can “Deliver as One”. (See Press Release SG/SM/14426.)
The Secretary-General travelled to Cetinje, the historical capital of Montenegro, where he met with President Filip Vujanović and afterwards, they addressed the press jointly.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that the European Union Council’s decision to open accession negotiations illustrates Montenegro’s progress towards greater stability and prosperity in the six years since independence.
The Secretary-General and the President, accompanied by their wives, then visited the King Nikola museum before attending a dinner hosted by the President in the Secretary-General’s honour.
The evening ended with a visit to the coastal city of Kotor, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The following morning, Monday, 23 July, the Secretary-General and Madam Ban took a helicopter tour of the Montenegrin coast.
Upon returning to Podgorica, he met with the United Nations country team and held a town hall meeting with United Nations staff serving in Montenegro.
The Secretary-General met with Ranko Krivokapić, Speaker of the Parliament, before holding talks with and attending a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Igor Lukšić.
The Secretary-General departed Montenegro in the afternoon for the Serbian capital, Belgrade.