PM Duško Marković attends EBRD Summit in London: Infrastructure projects and Berlin Process are most important for further development and EU integration of WB region

London, United Kingdom (24 February 2020) -- Further improvement of infrastructure is most significant for further development of the Western Balkan countries and the region as a whole, Prime Minister Duško Marković noted earlier today in London.

"In my point of view since 2013, when we meet this way, the greatest value for the Western Balkan countries and our governments, is that at the same time we have built the capacity and raised the level of confidence in using our own resources and potential to valorise abundant resources for the better life of our citizens and development of our countries. Development of infrastructure is a key precondition for the vision of each of our countries development. It is important that our plans coincide and that we have a common interest," the Prime Minister stated at the 4th Western Balkans Investment Conference, hosted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London.

When it comes to Montenegro, we are completing the priority section of the Bar - Boljare motorway, the Prime Minister noted, adding the Adriatic-Ionian route and the railway to Serbia are also significant. Regarding the European integration, the essential fact is that all countries want the EU membership and the Berlin process launched by German Chancellor Angela Merkel is crucial in that process, Prime Minister Marković stated, speaking on a panel with Prime Ministers of Serbia Ana Brnabić, Kosovo's Albin Kurti, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Zoran Tegeltija, Albania's Edie Rama and North Macedonia's Oliver Spasovski.

"The Berlin Process has raised our European integration, by signing the Action Plan of the Western Balkan Six (WB6) in Trieste, followed by the signatures of all relevant European countries and European leaders," Prime Minister Duško Marković stressed. He added that Montenegro fulfils all its obligations and called on colleagues from other countries of the region, to meet commitments they have taken on, before creating other initiatives.

Inviting investors to invest in Montenegro, the Prime Minister noted the reasons for this were strong public administration reform over the past three years, consolidation of public finances that boosted financial discipline and improved level of the rule of law.

"Due to such an approach and the results in the short term, Montenegro has recorded fantastic results in terms of its economy, development and advancement of standards," Prime Minister Marković pointed out.

Speaking on the panel about the situation in Montenegro, Prime Minister Duško Marković pointed to the results of a successful Government's economic policy, whose direct results include, among other things, high economic growth, the level of foreign direct investment of EUR 1.7 billion, increased state budget revenues for almost EUR one billion and a significant reduction in the unemployment rate.

Opening the conference, EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti noted that the Western Balkans is a part of the world where EBRD investments are highest per capita, while Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, speaking as Prime Minister of the state holding the EU Council Presidency, said that all countries in the region have a European future and Croatia will be the first to welcome new EU members, as soon as they meet the criteria.


PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO 

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