Economic Reform Programme creates basis for strengthening economic dialogue, Jean-Eric Paquet of EU stresses

Podgorica, Montenegro (11 February 2014) – Deputy Prime Minister Vujica Lazović and Finance and Economy ministers Radoje Žugić and Vladimir Kavarić met earlier today in Podgorica with Jean-Eric Piquet, Director for the Western Balkans at the Directorate General of the European Neighborhood Policy and Negotiations for Enlargement.

The meeting discussed the Economic Reform Programme of Montenegro 2015-2017, which the Government has delivered to the European Commission for  further consderation. The programme enables Montenegro to structure its mid-term economic policy in accordance with national priorities and the European Commission’s recommendations.

The focus of the economic policy in 2015 and in mid-term period should be removing barriers to economic growth and development, raising competition, creating new jobs and increaing quality of life of the Montenegrin citizens. The Government’s priorities in the period 2015-2017 are current spending reduction and increase of investment in infrastructure, together with a declining trend of public debt, which would be achieved through financing it from the economic growth, the Montenegrin officials explained.

Mr Paquet commended Montenegro’s Economic Reform Programme when it comes to the systematisation and consistency of fiscal and sector policies. This programme will be a solid basis for comparing economy policies of the Western Balkan's countries and identifying best examples to help other countries create economy policy measures, he emphasised. The document will also significantly improve the economic dialogue with the EU, Mr Paquet concluded.