Abazović with representatives of Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro: We need to protect our national treasure

Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met today with President of the Board of Directors of the Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro Marina Jočić, and her associates, Miloš Brajović and Goran Škatarić. The meeting discussed the possibilities of future cooperation between this public enterprise and the Government of Montenegro, as well as the key challenges facing the new leadership of the Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro in their efforts to address inherited problems and bring order to national parks.

The meeting stated the need for closer cooperation between the services for the protection of national parks and border police units, both on Skadar Lake and in other national parks whose territory is located along the state border line. It was agreed to assist the protection services of the Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro in the procurement of adequate equipment, as well as increased engagement of police forces in order to combat poaching and other illegal activities in the territory of national parks.

The fight against poaching and maintaining order are among the central priorities of the new leadership of the Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro, which sees the Government of Montenegro as a natural partner to achieve this goal. "I am very satisfied with the outcome of the talks with the Deputy Prime Minister, who showed understanding for our problems and readiness to meet the needs of national parks and the reforms implemented by the new administration," Jočić said.

DPM Abazović, emphasising the importance of environmental protection, said that the five national parks represent the greatest wealth of Montenegro and insufficiently used tourist potential of our country.

Abazović informed his interlocutors about the Government's commitment to reforms in the area of negotiation chapter 27 and the Government's clear commitment to make Montenegro truly an ecological state, not just on paper. Referring to his recent working visit to Brussels and the meeting with European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Deputy Prime Minister informed his interlocutors about the details of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans which should be adopted in November at the Sofia Summit.

Abazović said that his vision is for Montenegro to be recognsed in the world as an 'eco-friendly' country and that national parks play one of the key roles in it.