Kos in Nikšić: When Montenegro joins the EU, 70 percent of jobs will be done at the local level

When Montenegro joins the European Union (EU), 70 percent of jobs will be carried out at the local level, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced today in Nikšić.

The Municipality of Nikšić announced that President Marko Kovačević hosted a reception for Kos, with whom he reportedly discussed the Municipality's development plans, as well as the important role of local communities in the process of Montenegro's accession to the European Union (EU), especially considering the fact that Nikšić was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2030.

The statement states that Kos congratulated Nikšić on the title of European Capital of Culture and wished that it would continue on its path of development.

"Montenegro has done a lot in recent years on its path to the European Union and now is a historic chance to become the 28th member. When your country joins the European Union, 70 percent of jobs will be done at the local level," Kos emphasized.

Kovačević emphasized that the Municipality of Nikšić wants to be an example of how EU policies are implemented at the local level and directly reach citizens, who should feel the benefits of Montenegro's accession to the EU the most.

"We are very pleased and honored to have you in our city. The Municipality of Nikšić strives for balanced development. That is why we have completed numerous infrastructure projects, of which there will be more in the coming period. We have presented the vision of the development of our municipality in the field of culture, as well as in other areas, through the title of European Capital of Culture, which is closely linked to Montenegro's path to the European Union. Our plan is to return Nikšić to its old paths of glory, towards a new, better future and great development, as a city of creative industries, which we are achieving through numerous implemented projects. Nikšić has also become a UNESCO City of Music. We are implementing a number of cultural projects, but we are also focused on projects related to the green transition. We have also solved a decade-old environmental problem - the illegal Mislov do landfill, and in the coming period, in cooperation with the World Bank, we plan to build a Regional Recycling Center," said Kovačević.

The statement says that the President of the Municipal Assembly (MA) of Nikšić, Milica Lalatović Žižić, introduced the Commissioner and her associates to the environmental projects being implemented in Nikšić.

"We are planning to build a Center for Medicinal Plants because Montenegro needs to use its natural resources. This center will contribute to retaining professional staff in our city," said Lalatović Žižić.

The Municipality of Nikšić also announced that the President of the Board of Directors of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG), Milutin Đukanović, "spoke about the green transition and implemented projects that are very important for Nikšić and all of Montenegro."

"The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro Johan Sattler, Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Adela Marsulo, Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Andreas Gahlajtner and Heinke Wajt from the European Commission. The delegation of the Municipality of Nikšić also included Vice-Presidents Vidak Krtolica and Zoran Tomić, Vice-President of the Nikšić Municipal Assembly Nikola Goranović, Head of the Cabinet of the President Marko Perućica and Advisor to the President for Culture Miljan Mijušković. After the meeting, the interlocutors visited the IPC 'Tehnopolis', where a presentation of Nikšić - European Capital of Culture 2030 was held, which was also attended by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović.

Kos is on an official visit to Montenegro, and yesterday she met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, and Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović.

Kos and Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević also spoke yesterday with high school students, students, young European ambassadors and interns at the Ministry of European Affairs.