Ivanović and Gjorgjiev: The government is committed to improving the socio-economic status of refugees and displaced persons

The Government of Montenegro, at the political and programmatic level, advocates for the improvement of the socio-economic status of refugees and displaced persons, with a special focus on education, health and social protection, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanović.

He said this at a meeting with the head of the Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Montenegro, Vladimir Gjorgjiev.

At the meeting, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), it was assessed that cooperation with the IOM and projects aimed at dealing with challenges in the field of migration are complementary processes with reforms in key chapters of European integration.

Ivanović thanked the IOM for its support in the fight against illegal migration, and emphasized that joint projects contribute to the successful fulfillment of obligations from the European agenda.

He said that Montenegro values ​​inclusion in a series of regional projects in the field of capacity building and development of the institutional and legislative framework, with the aim of strengthening readiness to respond to migration challenges in a timely manner.

"The Government of Montenegro, at the political and programmatic level, is advocating for the improvement of the socio-economic status of refugees and displaced persons, with a special focus on education, health and social protection," Ivanović said.

Gjorgjiev pointed to the very good cooperation with the institutions in Montenegro so far.

As it is added, he recalled the current projects and the results of already implemented initiatives, which were aimed at strengthening institutional capacities in the field of migration policy and integrated border management.

Gjorgjiev also presented the regional engagement of the IOM, and opportunities for intensifying cooperation in areas that contribute to the success of Montenegro's European path.

"Our projects are programmatically aligned with the process of European integration and the IOM will continue to provide support to Montenegro in achieving its most important foreign policy goal," said Gjorgjiev.

The MFA said that the interlocutors also exchanged opinions on current global, security challenges and their impact on migration policies.