Informing the public about the EU

Montenegro's accession to the European Union is a process that requires many years of work on the implementation of essential reforms that will prepare the state and society for future membership and bring us closer to the European quality of life. In addition to the adoption and application of European regulations and standards and the gradual assumption of obligations and responsibilities arising from membership, the successful implementation of European integration implies fully informed citizens of Montenegro, their active participation and support to the process.

Although there is a high level of support and political consensus in Montenegro regarding EU membership, results of numerous public opinion polls have shown that a large number of citizens do not have enough knowledge about the European Union, the integration process and Montenegro's position in that process.

This is not strange because negotiations are mostly technical process, for citizens, often, uninteresting and foreign. The core of European integration are the reforms that countries go through in order to reach certain standards in the rule of law, protection of human rights, and economic development.

Consequences of this process are important because they affect the quality of our lives. That is why it is equally important that, as we are successful in harmonizing legislation, enforcing regulations and achieving measurable results, to explain to the citizens what we are doing, why and which effects the changes will bring, and how it will affect their lives.

It is important that our young people, especially high school and university students, are familiar with the EU programs available to them, to know what opportunities are provided for them to continue their education and training. As future EU citizens, we need to know what rights and obligations we will have in the labor market tomorrow, in order to prepare for them in time. It is similar with our companies and agricultural producers who are preparing to enter the market and compete at the European level. The time to become a member is the time to work on ourselves and prepare for the opportunities and obligations that will await us on the day of accession.

The need to provide citizens with more information on the rights and obligations arising from membership, as well as the advantages, disadvantages, benefits and costs of EU membership, has spawned the creation of a strategic approach for informing the public about Montenegro's European integration.

The implementation of several communication strategies, from 2004 until today, has strengthened the Government's cooperation with the Parliament, local governments, civil society, academia, business community and the media. This cooperation has given rise to significant partnership projects and joint activities that have received a positive reception from citizens and contributed to the improvement of information, but also the interest of citizens in the process of European integration.

Recognizing the importance of high-quality and comprehensive information and public involvement, we will continue, equally committed, to work to bring citizens closer to the process, highlighting the benefits it brings and the obligations that accompany it, and inform them of the changes that will take place on the path to full membership and in the period after.