Montenegro, as a small and open economy, is striving to approach labor migration strategically and responsibly, with a focus on responsible management and protection of workers' rights, said the Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Filip Ivanović.
At the opening of the Ministerial Conference Labour Migration - Supporting Economic Growth in the Western Balkans in Budva, he said that the topic of the conference - labour migration and its contribution to the economic development of the Western Balkans, is gaining increasing importance in light of dynamic regional and European changes.
"Montenegro, as a small and open economy, strives to approach labor migration strategically and responsibly, through a migration policy that is part of the broader European integration agenda, with a focus on responsible governance, protection of workers' rights, and development of a labor market adapted to modern challenges," said Ivanović.
As announced by his Cabinet, he particularly pointed out the importance of labor mobility as a key factor in building a single market in the region, emphasizing the geographical, cultural and linguistic similarities that make the Western Balkans a functional whole.
"For many from our diaspora, it was the countries of the region that represented the first destination - not as a completely 'foreign' environment, but as an extension of the familiar. This facilitates cross-border mobility, integration and increases the likelihood of the workforce returning to their home countries," said Ivanovic, adding that mobility does not mean loss, but rather the circulation of knowledge, experiences and capital.
Speaking about the challenges, Ivanovic pointed to the growing aspiration of young people towards EU countries, due to better living conditions and a common currency, and emphasized the need to recognize and address these challenges with policies that simultaneously enable mobility and stimulate the return of talents.
"We are paying increasing attention to circular migration models - which enable the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also return, reintegration and contribution to the country of origin. We believe that such models are the bridge between the legitimate needs of the market and our responsibility towards young people and professionals," said Ivanović.
He thanked international partners, emphasizing that no country can respond to the challenges of migration alone, and that regional cooperation is key to shaping sustainable and integrated policies.
The conference is taking place today and tomorrow, organized by the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue of Montenegro, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro.
As part of the opening ceremony of the conference, in addition to Ivanovic, high-ranking representatives of the European Commission - Olivier Onidi and Stefan Olson, RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović, ILO Assistant Director-General Beata Andres, and IOM Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Arthur Erken, also addressed the event.
The conference brought together numerous ministers, representatives of international organizations, experts in the fields of migration, employment and development, as well as relevant stakeholders from the economy and civil society.
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