End of year media conference of PM Duško Marković

Podgorica, Montenegro (30 December 2016) -- Prime Minister Duško Marković held his first end-of-year media conference in Villa Gorica today, emphasising the events which have marked 2016, stressing that Montenegro has implemented a wide range of reform activities when it comes to foreign policy priorities, the economy and growth, and overall development.

PM Marković highlighted that Montenegro has received a NATO membership invitation, which marked the beginning of the final phase of joining the Alliance. Accession talks were conducted at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels during February 2016, and the Accession Protocol was signed on 19-20 May 2016.

PM Marković explained that Montenegro was able to actively engage in the activities and work of the Alliance after signing the Protocol, stressing that the country has no right to vote, but to express its attitude towards the respective issue set out in the agenda.

So far, the Accession Protocol was ratified by 17 out of 28 NATO member states, namely: Iceland, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Albania, Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey, Romania, Letonia, the Great Britain, Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark, PM Marković stressed, adding that this stage represents the final part of Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic accession process.

Considering other important foreign policy priorities, PM Marković said that Montenegro has a very dynamic and demanding agenda in the field of European integration. Montenegro is a leader in the region when it comes to this foreign policy goal and it seems that the negotiation process will be dynamic in 2017 as well, PM Marković emphasised.

Montenegro has made efforts in harmonising the national legal framework with the EU Acquis Communautaire, PM Marković underlined, stressing that in 2016 the Government has adopted 69 laws and 76 by-laws. The progress is also evident in the Report issued by the European Commission, not only in political and economic criteria, but also in terms of making progress in the 33 negotiation chapters, he pointed out.

When it comes to implementing projects within the EU funds, Montenegro has successfully implemented 68 projects within the IPA I component, and it has also started the implementation of new projects within the new financial framework, the so-called IPA II which has a package worth EUR 39,2 million, PM Marković stressed.

It is worth mentioning that the country is engaged in the implementation of projects financed by the regional funds, for which the EU has approved the additional EUR 12 million, PM Marković highlighted. Following the Berlin Process framework, Montenegro will be granted additional EUR 8 million by the EU for several infrastructure projects, he added.

Speaking of the economy and public finances, PM Marković said that following the stable and transparent economic governance and encouraging macroeconomic indicators, the European Commission for the first time approved funds within direct budget support for the implementation of the Integrated Border Management Strategy. The EU financial support is worth EUR 20 million and the first part amounting to EUR 8 million was granted to Montenegro ten day ago, PM Marković explained.

“I believe that these facts speak for themselves, which means that 2016 was maybe the most successful year in this matter and Montenegro has the right to be presented as a leader in the region when it comes to the European and Euro-Atlantic accession processes,” PM Marković pointed out.

PM Marković stressed that this year was successful in terms of carrying out the economic policy, saying that the GDP growth is evident and that according to the official data of the Statistics Agency Monstat Montenegro has reached 2.4% of the projected growth rate for 2016.

Prime Minister Duško Marković also noted that investments and good results in tourism contributed to the economic growth this year. In terms of tourism, increase in revenue of tourism was close to 850 million Eur in the first 9 months of 2016, which is over 20% of GDP

When it comes to major projects, he pointed out construction of residential property in the Porto Montenegro, Portonovi, and Luštica Bay projects. The capital city has become richer for two new hotels during this year: the Hilton Hotel and the Centre Ville Hotel, and the renovated hotel from the Sheraton chain was opened in Kolašin. Preparatory activities for the construction of “Westin Kolašin Resort” are ongoing, as well as the activities of building the ski-resorts in Kolašin, Bijelo Polje and Durmitor.

In the field of energy, two important contracts were signed this year: a Contract for oil and gas exploration in Montenegrin seabeds and a Contract for the Block II of TE Pljevlja.

The Prime Minister emphasised some other important projects, such as laying 150 km long section of the Montenegro–Italy submarine power cable, completing the construction of wind farms in Krnovo and the ongoing activities in Možura.

As for the field of agriculture, the grant support to farmers are given through the projects „IPARD like“ and „IPARD like 2“. What is very commendable, Montenegro has recieved this year its first protected product – Njeguški pršut.

The Prime Minister stressed in his speech that the most important interest of Montenegro in the coming period is the acceleration of the economic growth. In addition to structural reforms combined with fiscal consolidation, the basic premise of the economic policy of the Government in 2017 will be focused on the efficient implementation of the development projects and starting the new ones.

The Government strongholds, as he pointed out, will be the promotion of dialogue and searching for compromise as a way of overcoming internal divisions in Montenegrin society, an openness to a partnership with major investors and the commitment to ensuring all the conditions for their business in Montenegro, the implementation of the Plan of public finances consolidation which will lead to the improving the living standards of every citizen and every family.

Prime Minister Duško Marković also answered journalists’ questions regarding the politics, economy, social issues and the Government’s priorities in the coming year.

In the end of his speech, Prime Minister Marković wished all citizens of Montenegro a happy and joyful New Year and Christmas holidays.