During today’s meeting in Podgorica, the Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Oana Cristina Popa and representatives of the Government of Montenegro discussed the implementation of joint conclusions on the Economic Political Dialogue between the EU and Montenegro for 2022, which were adopted on 24 May in Brussels.
Ambassador Popa, who co-chaired the meeting together with Finance Minister Aleksandar Damjanovic, emphasised that economic management, which implies the coordination of economic policies with the aim of encouraging economic and social progress for the benefit of citizens, plays a key role in the enlargement process.
“The programme of economic reforms is the main instrument for dialogue between the EU and Montenegro on economic management. It directs reforms in Montenegro in the direction of meeting the economic conditions for accession and preparations for future participation in coordinating the economic policies of EU Member States,” said the EU Ambassador.
The Ambassador emphasised that Montenegro should use the opportunity provided by the current political moment and take decisive steps in the accession negotiations.
Finance Minister Alekandar Damjanovic stressed the commitment of the Finance Ministry and the government to the agreed upon policy, stressing that determined efforts will be invested, among other things, in achieving fiscal consolidation, improving fiscal management, reforming state-owned enterprises, and solving the challenges of the grey economy.
The participants of the meeting agreed that the new political guidelines represent an adequate response to the key fiscal challenges. Montenegro should also implement adequate structural reforms that will address long-term weaknesses.