We share a common vision that Montenegro should be part of the European Union family. With a rich and diverse program at Divan Garden, dominated by children who are the future of Montenegro and the EU, we confirm that our country is already part of Europe. This is the message from the European Tour held today in Petnjica.
Opening the event, the President of the Municipality, Samir Agović, said that today’s event sends a message to Europe, which we so eagerly desire and expect to be part of.
“Petnjica, as a small municipality, is large in terms of the ideas it proclaims on the path to the European Union. It is our duty to do this at every level,” Agović stated.
He expressed satisfaction that the youngest residents of Petnjica participated in the event and had the opportunity to feel how Europe is oriented towards youth. Agović highlighted that the municipality of Petnjica has experienced the benefits of EU support through the implementation of cross-border cooperation projects with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, and other countries in the region, emphasizing that Petnjica has a dedicated team working on these projects.
The State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration, Naim Gjokaj, reminded everyone of the importance of public administration reform in Montenegro’s EU accession process, especially in the context of celebrating Europe Day in municipalities.
“Our goal is to ensure the full application of EU standards by establishing a public administration based on inclusion, transparency, equality, and equal opportunities for all, as well as creating public services in accordance with citizens’ needs,” Djokaj said.
He announced the start of the project “Empowering Local Communities in Montenegro’s European Integration” worth one million euros, funded by the EU, to be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Public Administration, the Union of Municipalities, and 25 municipalities in Montenegro. He emphasized that this project, which will begin by the end of 2024, aims to strengthen the capacities of municipalities for the further European integration process to ensure that local governments are equipped with the necessary institutional, financial, and human resources for effective implementation of EU policies and standards at the local level.
Nadia Kjučukova, a representative of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, said she was pleased to be in beautiful Petnjica and to attend an event involving children.
“By painting flags, children show the diversity of the European Union, but keep one thing in mind – their number is not final. Soon, the flag of Montenegro will be among them, where it belongs, among the flags of the European Union,” Kjučukova stated.
She said that there is still work to be done before joining the EU and that the European Union will increasingly focus on smaller municipalities in Montenegro, especially in the north, with more support programs for better living conditions and better local services.
“Today, we will visit one of the IPARD beneficiaries who received half of his investment for free from the European Union. With such projects and the new Growth Plan, we want Montenegrin citizens to reach the European standard of living even before accession to the EU. Then, there will be no more talk of emigration, and Petnjica will be full of life again,” Kjučukova said.
Irena Bošković, Head of the Evaluation and Support Department in the Ministry of European Affairs, said that the European Tour aims to strengthen the European spirit and identity, providing an opportunity for citizens in Montenegrin municipalities to connect more with European values and ideals through various cultural, sports, and musical events.
She emphasized the role that local governments play in addressing complex social issues and should be the drivers of change.
“Through joint projects, cities and municipalities have the opportunity to collaborate, exchange best practices, and encourage citizen participation in policy-making. For over 15 years, Montenegro has successfully utilized EU funds and cooperated with neighbors through various cross-border and territorial cooperation programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all citizens. These projects are at the core of European integration—through collaboration and experience exchange with neighbors, our citizens feel the tangible benefits of the EU accession process. Petnjica is a good example in this regard, a small municipality that has shown impressive results in securing EU funds, which we will see firsthand today through the visit to the IPARD project,” Bošković stated.
The event was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management Marko Radonjić, Andrijana Rakočević, and Nina Jakić, who, along with representatives from the EU Delegation and the Municipality of Petnjica, visited IPARD project beneficiary Ismet Prentić in the village of Savin Bor, who acquired tractors, balers, and motor cultivators with EU support.
The European Tour is organized in Bar, Nikšić, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Berane, Žabljak, Petnjica, and Pljevlja together with the Ministry of European Affairs, with the support of the EU Delegation, within the EU4ME program.