Vuković and Popa: Intensifying the process of European integration a priority of Montenegro in the next period

14/01/2021

Today, the Mayor of Podgorica, Ivan Vuković, Ph.D., received the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa, for the first official visit to the Capital.

Mayor Vuković expressed satisfaction that he held the first official meeting in 2021 with the Head of the EU delegation in Montenegro, Ambassador Popa, emphasizing that this marks a new beginning of successful and fruitful cooperation between the Capital and the EU Delegation in Podgorica.

Vuković pointed out that towards that purpose, the Capital is fully open to all initiatives and projects aimed at achieving European values and European quality of life, in order to continue to change Podgorica and Montenegro in a positive direction on a partnership basis and to jointly build more prosperous and better society as a whole.

During the meeting, he introduced Ambassador Popa to the capital infrastructure projects that the Capital is implementing with the support of the EU - primarily with the construction of wastewater treatment systems, but also other important projects in the field of social protection, one of which relates to Roma population inclusion through praxis in the institutions of the Capital, and others on improvement of social support for people with disabilities.

Ambassador Popa expressed satisfaction with the current cooperation between the Capital and the EU Delegation in various areas and projects, expressing confidence that in the coming period, this cooperation will be even more intensive and substantial.

She expressed gratitude to the Capital when it joined the recent campaigns against violence against women, the celebration of Pride Week and certainly the celebration of Europe Day, which is one of the most important projects that the EU delegation in Podgorica is implementing with the Capital.

Ambassador Popa emphasized that local governments, especially Podgorica as the capital of Montenegro, are very important partners to the EU delegation in the implementation of European regulations and practices in the candidate countries, adding that in the coming period, the focus of the EU will be on the implementation of policies from the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of accelerating the long-term economic recovery of the region and supporting green and digital transition.

The interlocutors agreed that it is very good that the support for the EU integration process in Montenegro is growing and that it is very important that the citizens of Montenegro stay on that path, regardless of the dynamic social and political processes in the country.

Vuković and Popa concluded that intensifying the process of European integration and strengthening social dialogue on important issues are key to further progress on the path of Montenegro's full membership in the EU, and that in the coming period they will intensify communication in order to implement specific agreed activities.

Vuković and Popa: Intensifying the process of European integration a priority of Montenegro in the next period

GREEN FACE OF PODGORICA