“Young people are extremely important for the European Union integration process. In Montenegro, we lack knowledge about the EU and the negotiation process, and it is essential that everyone actively learns and knows as much as possible about the significance of our country’s accession to the EU,” stated the State Secretary at the Ministry of European Affairs, Bojan Božović.
Božović participated in the panel discussion “European Union through the Eyes of the Youth,” organised in Kolašin by the NGO Multimedia Montenegro as part of the celebration of Europe Day, and with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the Ministry of European Affairs.
Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Riccardo Serri, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Montenegro, Ralf Rojš, and the Mayor of Kolašin, Petko Bakić, spoke at the panel.
State Secretary Božović stated that this form of dialogue with young people is necessary for the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and solutions. He emphasised that the active involvement of the civil sector in the EU integration process is a necessary and unique resource to come up with brilliant ideas for improving all processes.
“We don’t have time to waste; we must understand that the accession to the EU also means improving the quality of life and raising the standard of living for all the citizens of Montenegro,” concluded Božović.
The event was attended by young people from Kolašin, Bijelo Polje, Mojkovac, and Berane who exchanged opinions with the panellists regarding the role of the youth in the EU accession process, the benefits of the accession process and the future membership, as well as how young people see Montenegro’s accession to the EU.
After the panel, an outdoor photo exhibition, promotional information booths, and the “Europe in the Palm of Your Hand” prize game were organised in the town square.