Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets newly appointed Director of UN Office in Belgrade

Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic met in Podgorica today with the newly appointed Director of the United Nations Office in Belgrade Jens Modvig.

Prime Minister Sturanovic voiced a strong commitment of the Government of Montenegro to observing the core principles of the United Nations, as confirmed by adopting the Declaration on Relations with the United Nations immediately after the referendum on Montenegros state status.

He expressed his satisfaction with the first year of Montenegros membership of the United Nations, its prompt accession to the agencies and specialized organizations within the UN system.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of signing the Cooperation Agreement between Montenegro and UN agencies in Montenegro (UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR) and the Framework Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the World Health Organization, identifying the areas and terms for future development of long term cooperation between Montenegro and the UN agencies. Also, following Montenegros accession to the UN, requirements have been met for direct cooperation with the United Nations Legal Department, with a view to regulating the countrys status in the numerous conventions, treaties and agreements deposited with the UN Secretary General.

Mr. Modvig described the past experiences of cooperation with Montenegro as positive and expressed satisfaction with its position as a factor of regional cooperation and stability.

The Prime Minister informed his guest in detail with the Governments activities over the past nine months, noting that the promotion of the populations living standards would remain the Governments strategic priority.