Ibrahimović-Haukaas: Cooperation with the OSCE contributes to the successful implementation of reforms from the European agenda

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović met today with the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Jan Haukaas.

The interlocutors expressed satisfaction that the meeting is being organized after the recently held OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta, at which decisions were made regarding the resolution of key issues for the functionality of the organization. During the meeting, they emphasized the importance of joint projects and cooperation, especially in the areas of judicial reform, electoral administration, and human rights protection.

Ibrahimović recalled the progress Montenegro has made on its path to EU membership, emphasizing that obtaining a positive IBAR was a significant step forward in key areas of reform.

The plan for Montenegro to become an EU member by 2028 is ambitious, but also realistic, and to achieve this goal, we need political and economic stability, said Ibrahimović, pointing to the importance of the Reform Agenda, within which 383.4 million euros are available to Montenegro for reforms and projects that aim to bring the benefits of membership closer to citizens.

Ambassador Haukaas, who was a political advisor and spokesperson for the OSCE Mission to Montenegro from 2007 to 2009, praised the efforts and results achieved in the field of democratization since his last term in the country, emphasizing that the OSCE will continue to support Montenegro in achieving its national strategic goals.

They also discussed the importance of regional cooperation and stability, especially in the context of current security challenges, such as cyber attacks.

"I remain convinced that cooperation within the OSCE, with its comprehensive security concept, as well as support for civil society space, are key to maintaining peace and stability in Montenegro, the region, and beyond," said Ambassador Haukaas.

In this regard, the Minister assessed it as significant that the OSCE Mission expressed interest in cooperating with the recently opened Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C), an initiative of France, Slovenia, and Montenegro, headquartered in Podgorica.