Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević stated that the EU accession process is one of the strongest drivers of economic development of the whole region, assessing that establishing a competitive economic system will provide conditions for a better life for citizens and slow down the trend of emigration of young and educated people.
Speaking at the Conference on “Western Balkans between economic development and emigrations” in Budva, the Chief Negotiator highlighted that it is in the interest of both, the region and the EU that the Western Balkans continue with the accession process.
“Through implementation of their national policies and commitment to cooperation, countries of the region show that they do not want to be on the margin of the Europe. We are constantly proving that, as partners, we can make a significant contribution to the stability and security of the continent, by investing joint efforts to tackle the challenges that modern time pose to us”, Chief Negotiator Drljević stressed.
According to the Chief Negotiator, Montenegro continuously promotes close economic cooperation at the regional level and supports development of national transport and energy infrastructure.
He referred to the brains drain, adding that the Western Balkans and Montenegro will continue to be exporters of young, smart and educated people and expressed the expectation that economic development will slow down the trend of young people emigration.
The Chief Negotiator highlighted that the Government aims to create a competitive economic system, which will provide sustainable economic growth and development and which is conditioned by the development of infrastructure and implementation of reforms. He added that today, Montenegro has a strong legislative framework established in most negotiating areas, in accordance with the European regulation and standards, as well as stronger institutions but it is the most important that the effects of reforms are visible in everyday life of citizens.
“Nowadays, the EU is facing new crises and challenges which are likely to require the transformation of its institutions and policies and it is possible that the EU we join will be different from today`s Union. However, it will not shake us and we will remain determined to become part of a community of states and nations that share common values and build together a prosperous Europe to the measure of its citizens”, Chief Negotiator Drljević concluded.
GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO
SECTOR FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EU AND THE EU ACCESSION PROCESS