The first State Visit to San Marino of the President of Montenegro, H.E. Milo Đukanović, started in the morning. He was accompanied by a high political-diplomatic delegation.

The visit began with the flag-raising ceremony which initiated the parade in Piazza della Libertà, followed by the performance of the National Anthems and the highest civil and military honours.

The President of Montenegro was welcomed by their Excellencies the Captains Regent, Francesco Mussoni and Giacomo Simoncini.

President Đukanović met the members of the Executive and then, a wide-ranging discussion took place in the Salottino degli Scrutini, in the presence of the respective delegations. It was followed by the conferral of the Republic's highest honour to the President, the Knighthood of the Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of San Marino, with the handover of a Grand Collar.

These talks were characterised by a common and strong concern about the military escalation in Ukraine which is seriously worrying for Europe and the whole world.

Both parties then confirmed their strong willingness to cooperate at a bilateral and multilateral level, especially in the light of the Republic's recent accession to EUSAIR. The value of cooperation between Small States which share common values and peculiarities was highlighted. Both parties also confirmed their desire to achieve a synergic cooperation mainly aimed at developing the tourist, cultural, economic and commercial sectors, also in the light of future agreements that may be reached in this field.

In the afternoon and before returning to Montenegro, President Đukanović, their Excellencies the Captains Regent and their respective delegations went to the “Ara dei Volontari” war memorial, where the Montenegrin President laid a laurel wreath.

San Marino, 4 March 2022