The OSCE will continue to monitor events in Montenegro in the political, social and economic sense, with the aim of providing support to institutions in capacity building, said the outgoing head of the Organization's Mission in Podgorica, Janina Hrebičkova.
As announced by the Ministry of Defense, Minister Milica Pejanović Đurišić met with Hrebičkova, who was on a farewell visit to that department today.
Pejanović Đurišić emphasized the importance of the continuous support that the OSCE provides to Montenegro in improving the system in accordance with modern international standards.
"On that occasion, she emphasized the successful cooperation regarding the implementation of joint projects, with particular reference to the implementation of the Program for the Development of Capacity for Demilitarization and Safe Storage of Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition for Montenegro (MONDEM)," the statement said.
Hrebičkova, as stated, highlighted the great progress of Montenegro in the process of reforming the defense system, and recalled the significant role of Montenegro as a promoter of international stability and security.
"She specifically stated Montenegro's commitment to fulfilling political obligations arising from OSCE documents, and emphasized that this organization will continue to monitor events in Montenegro, in a political, social and economic sense, with the aim of providing support to institutions in capacity building", it is stated in the announcement.
The interlocutors expressed the expectation that the high-quality cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the OSCE will continue in the coming period with the same enthusiasm.
Today, Hrebičkova received a farewell visit from the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Suad Numanović, who thanked her for the successful and fair cooperation and partnership relationship of the Mission during her mandate.
Numanović, as announced by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the multi-year cooperation that department has with the OSCE Mission in raising the awareness of all who are directly responsible for protection against discrimination.
"He stated that the Mission recognized the time to rise to the level of a multidisciplinary approach to support," the statement said.
The Ministry reminds that they cooperated with the OSCE Mission in Montenegro on the education of employees on anti-discrimination, as well as on the implementation of projects related to the strengthening of the policy of achieving equal opportunities at the local level.
"The signed Memoranda on cooperation with all local self-governments in Montenegro are not just a formality, they are essential in the development of society's awareness at the local level on crucial issues in the field of protection and improvement of human and minority rights," said Numanović.
According to him, the previous support of the OSCE Mission in Montenegro significantly contributed to the strengthening of national institutions, which, by adopting European standards, strengthened the rule of law.
Numanović emphasized that the rule of law is closely related to the economic progress of every society, "and this area needs political and economic stability."
He added that a great deal of work has been done regarding the integration of Montenegro into European streams.
Hrebičkova thanked Numanović for the achieved cooperation and maintaining its continuity through the implementation of numerous project activities.
According to the announcement, she said that the awareness of human values in Montenegro is intensively changing in a positive direction.
Hrebičkova expressed her belief that Montenegro will continue its progress through reforms, and that it will successfully fulfill its obligations in the future in accordance with its strategic foreign policy aspirations.
"It was jointly assessed that the image of Montenegro has changed significantly today in terms of respect for diversity and respect for human and minority rights and freedoms, and that it can be a great example for many countries," the statement added.
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