UNDP stands ready to support Montenegro's key national and foreign policies

Podgorica, Montenegro (10 May 2013) --  “UNDP’s work in Montenegro is strongly aligned with the priorities of EU accession process in the three areas of UNDP focus namely sustainable development, social inclusion and democratic governance,” Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Europe and CIS, told the press conference following her meeting with Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lukšić earlier today. These policies are in the focus of the global UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017, which is being developed, she added.

Mrs Sultanoglu emphasised the importance of the UNDP-Montenegro partnership within the UN Delivering as One project, and pledged further UNDP support for “Montenegro’s ambition to become an exemplary ‘ecological state’” and for the establishment of a Sustainable Development Centre for Montenegro.

She also thanked the Montenegrin Government for its support for the finalisation of “main works of the One United Nations Eco Premises in the near future, the first of its kind among United Nations Common Premises worldwide”.

UNPD programmes correspond with Montenegro's key national and foreign policies, which confirms the importance of the cooperation with the UNDP, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Igor Lukšić noted.

“We plan to conduct multiple activities aimed at implementing projects which will strive to reduce current disparities in regional development, ensure full social inclusion and strengthen administrative capacities at local and national levels, as these projects are essential for Montenegro’s EU accession process ,“ DPM Lukšić pointed out.

He also voiced satisfaction with the so called “position paper”, which will serve as a good basis for analysing priorities of the future cooperation, adding that advancing efficiency of the UN Delivering as One project, as part of the United Nations’ reform process, will take central stage in UNDP-Montenegro cooperation in the coming period.

Foto gallery