Gender equality significant for Montenegro's EU negotiation process, UN Representative to Montenegro says

Podgorica, Montenegro (9 May 2012) -- The issue of gender equality is highly significant in the domain of human rights, but is also an important component of Montenegro’s EU negotiation process, Deputy Prime Minister Duško Marković and UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro Rastislav Vrbenski agreed at their meeting earlier today.

By the same token, the implementation of the protocol on handling domestic violence, which several Montenegrin institutions signed in late November 2011, will be monitored through the reports on the conducted measures and ensured through the constant cooperation at the institutional level, and through the UN's assistance in terms of education, expertise and financial support, the two officials stressed.

The meeting also welcomed the implementation of the IPA project on gender equality which has been realised in partnership with UN Development Office. The project includes the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence, political and economic empowerment of women.

Mr Vrbenski concluded by saying that the Montenegrin institutions’ cooperation with the UN agencies has been very successful, reiterating the United Nations’ readiness to continue to provide assistance to Montenegro in meeting its national and foreign policy key priorities.