The second session of the Commission for the Improvement of the Modalities of Relations between Montenegro and the Republic of Italy was held today, and its composition was expanded by two members by the official decision of the Government, so Dragutin Mitrović joined the commission on behalf of the Union of Employers of Montenegro, a representative of Terna Montenegro and the holder of an honorary recognition of the Republic of Italy in the field of economic cooperation, as well as Ena Grbović, a representative of the academic community and a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the UCG, announced the Government of Montenegro.
The session was preceded by the visit of the government delegation to Italy headed by the Vice President of the Government Srđan Pavićević, who is also the President of the Commission.
Pavićević submitted a detailed report to the Commission on the results of the visit, which took place at the end of March, stressing that according to the number of identified areas for cooperation, the Commission must equip itself for a multisectoral approach that should include representatives of the economic and non-economic sectors, the Government announced.
"The commission concluded that the potential scope of cooperation with the Republic of Italy, which, in the words of Mr. Mitrovć, is a 'union of excellence' in which each region is a leader in some of the economic or non-economic activities, implies such a multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach, which has not been practiced until now," it is stated in the announcement.
It is further emphasized that Pavićević clarified once again that the purpose of this Commission's existence is "a strategic maneuver in which we expand the platform for joining the EU".
"Until now, we have been dominantly dependent on Croatian aid and services, which were both high-quality and benevolent. However, taught by the experiences of other countries that had at least one experienced and influential mentor from the group of EU founders along the way, Italy will be a benevolent neighbor to us. and friend, enormously quickly enrich the road map with new and higher standards that will be seen in the approach to solving problems,'' said Pavićević.
The President of the Commission also presented the plans and next steps in cooperation, which include a return visit by Antonio Tajani, Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Government of Montenegro, as well as a visit by the Montenegrin delegation to the region of Pula, the statement added.
"In order for each subsequent step in the establishment of cooperation to be purposefully designed, as concrete and fruitful as possible, the members of the Commission are in charge to nominate ideas and projects that would establish concrete cooperation, each from their scope of responsibility and strategic priorities. Thus, it was heard that the Ministry education, science and innovation interested in cooperation in the field of scientific research activities and projects for 'blue growth' through the so-called Italian centers of excellence, and especially in cooperation with Puglia in the field of smart specialization strategy police and customs control, while the Ministry of European Affairs nominated the issue of raising capacity in terms of using European funds," the Government's announcement reads.
As further stated, Grbović, on behalf of the academic community, hinted at possible cooperation in the scientific and research field, with a special emphasis on social issues, while Mitrović, on behalf of the Employers' Union, highlighted the significant advantages of cooperation with the region of Pula regarding regional and cross-border projects in in the fields of agriculture, energy, ecology and tourism, considering the dedicated funds of the European Union, which have been successfully used by Albania so far on the basis of a partnership with the Pula region.
Mitrović, it is added, also reminded that it would be necessary for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalize the procedures for issuing/approving work permits (registrations) for our seafarers, which is of mutual interest.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed great gratitude to Pavićević for creating excellent preconditions for building a strategic partnership with the Republic of Italy, which can be of invaluable help to us in raising standards in numerous areas, starting investment cycles and strengthening ties with the EU, the statement concludes.
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