PM Đukanović hosts EBRD Board Directors: Objectives of EBRD and Berlin Process are convergent

Podgorica, Montenegro (30 June 2016) – Prime Minister Milo Đukanović met with the delegation of the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Anna Brandt. Representative of Montenegro in EBRD Heinz Kaufmann also attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister expressed full support for EBRD's new strategy for Montenegro, and pointed out consistency of its objectives: expansion of the economic base through enhancement of competitiveness; support to sustainable tourism infrastructure and environmental protection; support to energy security and efficiency and regional integration of the energy market, as well as Montenegro's development goals.

PM Đukanović also stressed the coincidence of EBRD strategy objectives for Montenegro, as well as goals of the Berlin Process which provides infrastructure and traffic linking of the region as precondition for their full integration into the EU. He also suggested more intensive involvement of the EBRD in strengthening integration within the region by supporting key infrastructure projects such as the Adriatic-Ionic traffic corridor. Prime Minister Đukanović emphasised that improving transport accessibility contributes to further improvement of the business environment in Montenegro, especially because of the importance that tourism has for economy development. The Prime Minister noted that the Government of Montenegro will continue to keep that fiscal system contributes to business incentive and increase competitiveness as the primary goal of economic development.

The head of EBRD Board of Directors delegation Anna Brandt congratulated Prime Minister Đukanović tenth anniversary of Montenegro's independence restoration and welcomed Montenegro's role in Berlin Process and regional integration.

The officials discussed the process of European integration of Montenegro in the context of Brexit. The Prime Minister pointed out that the process of joining the EU has no alternative, confirming Montenegro's faith in the vision of united Europe.

They also agreed that the investment conferences organised by EBRD are the sign of special attention that Development Bank pays to the Western Balkan region.