EU accession and meeting Agenda 2030 goals are complementary processes

Montenegro is the leader in meeting the commitments from the EU accession process and is one of the frontrunners in meeting the goals from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it was said in a meeting between Montenegro’s Chief EU Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević and UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Fiona McCluney.

Drljević thanked the UN system in Montenegro for the support in strengthening the national capacities for EU accession, which he described as very important for the overall development of the Montenegrin society.
He presented the new organizational format of Montenegro’s negotiating structure, including the formation of the Office for European Integration, adding that the excellent cooperation with the UN system will be continued through that format.

“We are ready to move to the new phase of negotiations and start closing chapters, while being aware that the pace, in line with the new approach to negotiations, depends on the results in all chapters, especially in chapters 23 and 24, which are the cornerstones of this process,” he said.

McCluney noted that the UN system is ready to continue cooperation with the Office for European Integration and underlined a clear connection between the sustainable development goals from the 2030 Agenda and the commitments of the EU accession process, especially in the areas of environment, social policy, employment, judiciary and fundamental rights.

“Meeting commitments in those chapters contributes the most to meeting the goals of the 2030 Agenda. Our mandate in Montenegro is to support the implementation of national priorities, above all in the EU accession process, including the development and strengthening of national capacities for that process,” she said.

GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO
SECTOR FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EU AND THE EU ACCESSION PROCESS