As Montenegro progresses towards membership in the European Union (EU), greater investments in children will be key to reducing poverty, better protecting girls and boys from violence, and preparing young people for the labor market of the future, said Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Ređina De Dominicis after a meeting in Podgorica.
UNICEF announced that Spajić and De Dominićis discussed the importance of financing Montenegro's Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee - a European Union initiative aimed at reducing child poverty and improving access to quality services for children who need support the most.
The statement also says that they discussed strengthening the coordination of reforms in education, healthcare, child and social protection.
"Our attitude towards children and young people directly affects the future and further socio-economic development of our country," said Spajić.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the "European Child Guarantee" Program is an opportunity to strengthen support for the most vulnerable girls and boys and that in this regard, together with partners such as UNICEF, the Government is continuously improving policies in various areas in order to provide conditions for higher quality and better development and upbringing of every child in Montenegro.
The statement says that De Dominicis welcomed Montenegro's progress in reducing child poverty, including through universal child benefit, recalling that in OECD countries, the disadvantageous position of children can lead to annual GDP losses of up to 3,4 percent.
"As Montenegro progresses towards membership in the European Union, UNICEF remains committed to working closely with the Government and the European Union to implement the European Child Guarantee — an effective instrument that can help ensure that every child at risk of poverty or social exclusion has access to services essential for their well-being and development," said De Dominicis.
UNICEF also said that Spajić and De Dominićis also discussed protecting children from violence at home, in schools and online; strengthening support for mental health; and how to help young people develop the digital and entrepreneurial skills necessary in an ever-changing economy.
"Spajić and De Dominicis emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between institutions, international financial institutions and the private sector so that reforms related to Montenegro's European path lead to concrete improvements in the lives of children," the statement reads.
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