DPM Abazović meets with Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS

Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met with UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Mirjana Spoljaric Egger. Montenegro needs a "green" transition, based on anti-corruption, sustainable development, gender equality, with the goal of comprehensive reform of institutions that will clearly strive for EU standards, said DPM Abazović.

Abazović expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with UNDP, which is Montenegro's reliable and active partner in implementing priority development goals.

The quality of project solutions initiated by UNDP and the support provided to the Government of Montenegro in their implementation have contributed to faster and more efficient development of national policies, strategic programmes and practical solutions in achieving development goals and the 2030 Agenda, said Abazović.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the dynamics of joint activities and thanked UNDP for the support it provided to Montenegro in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Mirjana Spoljaric Egger praised Montenegro's commitment to advancing the EU accession process by strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption. Expressing UNDP's support for further capacity building within the justice and security sector aimed at preventing hate speech and gender-based violence, Spoljaric Egger stressed the importance of coordinating all relevant institutions.

Despite comprehensive efforts to improve the national legal and functional framework, there are no results in the fight against violence against women. UNDP stands ready to support the strengthening of administrative and institutional capacities to ensure the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. Effective cross-sectoral coordination involving all relevant actors - government institutions, police, judiciary, prosecutor's office, as well as adequate engagement of the NGO sector in providing support to victims, is a key prerequisite for a multidisciplinary response to gender-based violence, she said.

The two officials agreed that continued regional cooperation is very important. An example of the region's determination to move forward together, even when it comes to challenging topics, is the continued cooperation of regional prosecutor's offices on war crimes. Montenegro has already sent a message that it is committed to reconciling with the past in the Western Balkans. Another positive example of regional cooperation is SEESAC, which supports the countries in fulfilling its obligations related to arms control, from the Chapter 24, Spoljaric Egger pointed out.