Montenegro is committed to closing Chapters 23 and 24 and sees the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a reliable and valuable partner in that process, said Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović.
As announced by the Government, on the sidelines of the ministerial conference "Labor Migration: Supporting Economic Growth in the Western Balkans", Ivanovic met with IOM Regional Director for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Arthur Erken and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Amer Kapetanovic.
"The meeting with Erken was dedicated to the importance of continuing strategic cooperation between the Government and IOM, especially in the context of the European Union (EU) accession process," the statement said.
The Government said that during the talks, the importance of migration and visa policy in the broader framework of negotiations, especially within Chapters 23 and 24, was emphasized.
Ivanovic thanked the IOM for its continued technical and expert support, emphasizing the importance of migration within the negotiation process with the EU.
"He stressed that Montenegro is committed to closing Chapters 23 and 24 and that he sees IOM as a reliable and valuable partner in that process," the statement said.
The interlocutors agreed that migration is no longer just a challenge, but also a development opportunity, and that a strategic approach must include both human rights and economic development.
Erken, as reported, praised Montenegro's progress on its European path and emphasized that its entry into the EU in the coming years would represent a historic moment for the country.
"He confirmed IOM's strong commitment to supporting Montenegro on its path towards EU membership, particularly in areas related to Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security," the statement said.
It is stated that Erken welcomed Montenegro's efforts in improving integrated border management and stressed the importance of visa policy and labor migration as key factors for long-term economic resilience.
"The meeting concluded with a shared vision for continued cooperation, aligning national priorities with IOM's technical expertise, to make labor migration a driver of inclusive growth, social stability, and progress towards EU membership," the statement said.
The Government said that Ivanovic, in a conversation with RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanovic, emphasized the importance of the RCC as an operational mechanism of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which strengthens regional cooperation and contributes to the integration of the countries of the region into the EU.
He, as they stated, welcomed Kapetanović's arrival in Montenegro, as well as his recent election to the position of Secretary General, with the expectation that his mandate will further improve the efficiency and ambition of the RCC.
The statement states that Kapetanović praised Montenegro as a leader in European integration, emphasizing that its "frontrunner" status is the result of a consistent and responsible policy, which does not exclude regional cooperation, but rather further strengthens it.
"I am glad that I felt a clear message that joining the EU for Montenegro does not mean leaving the region. On the contrary," Kapetanović emphasized.
Ivanovic pointed out that Montenegro views regional cooperation as an important pillar of its European integration.
"Kapetanović particularly highlighted the role of Montenegro in the institutional strengthening of the RCC, emphasizing that for the first time in the history of that organization, the RCC Board was established in Montenegro, as well as that for the first time one of the management positions in the RCC was entrusted to a Montenegrin citizen," the statement said.
It is stated that Kapetanović confirmed the RCC's readiness to continue to provide support to all initiatives of Montenegro.
He stressed that the RCC's doors are open to any new idea that contributes to regional integration.
During the conversation, as stated by the Government, a number of strategic regional initiatives that are being implemented under the auspices of the RCC were discussed.
"Ivanović confirmed Montenegro's commitment to the implementation of the Common Regional Market, where five regional mobility agreements have already been ratified, as well as its readiness to contribute to the development of new regional mechanisms," the statement said.
The interlocutors agreed that the RCC and IOM are key international partners of Montenegro in the European integration process, and that the institutional, technical and political support of these organizations represents added value in achieving the goals of stability, growth and connectivity of the region.
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