Montenegro and IOM are partners in fulfilling obligations in the field of rule of law

Montenegro and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) remain partners in all issues related to the rule of law, as a key priority of the Government, with the aim of fulfilling all obligations and speeding up the process of accession to the European Union (EU), said chief negotiator Zorka Kordić.

Today she met with the head of the IOM Mission in Montenegro, Dušica Živković.

Kordić, as reported by the General Secretariat of the Government, emphasized that the Government is committed both to the improvement of the strategic and legislative framework, and to the implementation of activities aimed at improving conditions in the field of migration.

She emphasized that the Government is carefully following developments in the field of migration in Europe and that through intensive regional and international cooperation and harmonization with the legal acquis and best practices of the EU member states, it strives to contribute to the improvement of the situation in that area.

Kordić said that this is the goal of the new Strategy on migration and reintegration of returnees in Montenegro for the period 2021-2025, with the Action Plan for 2021 and 2022, which the Government sent to the European Commission for its opinion.

She said that Montenegro is fully committed to cooperation with the relevant EU bodies in the fight against illegal migration.

"And that we are ready to, together with the IOM Office in Montenegro, carry out activities aimed at improving the strategic framework of documents that address these issues, as well as fulfilling all obligations within the framework of key negotiation chapters 23 and 24," the statement added.

Živković pointed out the need to intensify cooperation in order to adequately and timely respond to challenges in that area.

She announced further support for activities aimed at strengthening the capacities of Montenegro in terms of migration policy, as well as activities aimed at improving asylum procedures, cooperation in the field of readmission, integrated border management and the fight against human trafficking. Živković emphasized the importance of partnership and cooperation in order to provide a coordinated response, with full respect for humanitarian standards and human rights.