Prime Minister Spajić opens WB & EU Summit: One Region, Common Vision

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić delivered remarks at the opening of the Summit of Western Balkans and EU leaders in Kotor, dedicated to the Growth Plan, which allocates 6 billion euros in grants and concessional loans to the Western Balkan countries. According to the Prime Minister, this represents a clear signal of the European Union's commitment to the economic and democratic transformation of the entire region.

The Government of Montenegro is firmly committed to enhancing economic prosperity and the quality of life for our citizens. With this principle atop our priorities, we have high expectations from the Growth Plan, for which we have clearly defined reform measures: from improving the business environment, digital and energy transition, to the rule of law, stated Spajić.

He also emphasised the significance of the European Union's continuous support for infrastructure development and stressed that it must continue and increase under the Growth Plan. Along these lines, the Government of Montenegro has prepared 44 infrastructure projects in the field of education, demonstrating dedication to this important issue and to our young people as our most valuable asset.

However, despite the high expectations from the Growth Plan, certain aspects of this support line require further clarification to achieve full efficiency, noted the Prime Minister.

In addition to the priorities regarding accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), strengthening tax and customs policies, digitalization, and healthcare, Prime Minister Spajić highlighted that access to the European Single Market remains the engine for opening a new horizon that will bring our region closer to European standards.

Emphasising that citizens are the focus of all development projects and policies, the Prime Minister stated that "investing in human capital is the most important and long-term aspect of all reform processes for the Government of Montenegro."

I invite you to collectively seize this historic opportunity presented to the Western Balkans, to view the Growth Plan as part of a broader vision for a better future for our region and the European Union as a whole, concluded Spajić.