Minister Aleksandar Andrija Pejović: Government deserves grade 4+ for first 100 days

Podgorica, Montenegro (7 March 2017) -- Minister of European Affairs Aleksandar Andrija Pejović said that the Government deserves grade 4+ for the first 100 days of its work, explaining that taking into account needs of the society, improving standard of living, creating new jobs, providing better business environment and attracting investors were recognised as the key tasks of its policy.

"At the same time, we have to work even better on the field and carry out all the commitments the Government, as a team, agreed on," Minister Pejović said making a guest appearance on “Boje jutra“ /"Colours of the Morning"/ talk-show on Vijesti TV.

He stated that at the beginning of its mandate, the Government faced ungrateful package of fiscal consolidation measures in order to create a basis for Montenegro to leave the cycle of borrowing and turn to investment in healthy industries. He pointed up that the Government was successful in doing that, as the public spending was reduced by 30%, budget revenue increased by nearly 10%, while the average salary in this period amounted to EUR 511, which is the highest average salary in the region.

"It should be said that Montenegro, as we all know, was one of the poorest republics, and that it has really made tremendous progress over the past ten years. It has experienced GDP increase by nearly 70%. European standards are still far away, with much higher income, but this dynamic and growth show that we are moving forward. And that, along with the EU negotiating process, the process of growth of economic power and investment is constantly advancing step by step," said Minister Pejović.

He said it is a special challenge for Montenegro to link its economy and finance to the EU, which is a very complex and demanding task, that many member states have not implemented yet.

Commenting on the extent to which poor economic situation in the country can slow down its EU accession, the Minister said that Montenegro shares current economic situation in the region and continent. He noted that one should be aware that the economic power of a country determines the rate of progress, but that the results show that Montenegro is at the forefront when it comes to opening negotiating chapters

Speaking about the boycott of the Parliament by the opposition, as an obstacle on the country's EU path, and the need for mediation by the EU, Minister Pejović said that the message from Brussels is clear - no mediation, parliamentary elections were fair and transparent and there is no place for the boycott. He pointed up that, during the term of office of the Government challenged by the opposition, 11 NATO member countries have ratified the Accession Protocol and the world's leader have sent clear message that this Government enjoys support of major partners.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO