The goal is a high quality of life that EU citizens have

Montenegro, both at the national and local level, must give a new strong momentum, i.e. a strong energy infusion to the process of european integration, said the President of the City Parliament Jelena Borovinić Bojović, at the round table “Local Self-Government in the EU Integration Process”. Event was organized on her initiative by the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, in the Assembly of the Capital City.

She stated that it is necessary to continue the reform of local self-government as part of the overall reforms in society and a necessary precondition for a better quality of life. It is necessary to improve the normative framework when it comes to the Law on Local Self-Government and adoption of a new Law on the Capital City, which the City Parliament has already initiated.

Borovinić Bojović also assessed that we should talk more about the practical aspects and benefits of EU integration, which imply the improvement of the living conditions of all citizens.

“That’s why I invite citizens to constantly warn us and demand solvation of their problems with the infrastructure, because our country cannot be ready to join the European Union if our citizens don’t have quality roads to their homes, regular supply of water and electricity, adequate sewage network, good quality internet and telephony, parks where their children will play and everything that requires a high quality of life enjoyed now by citizens of the European Union“, she said.

Dušan Raičević, president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Municipalities, pointed out that this association has been working for years to promote European values and standards at the local level and added that the Association has become recognized as a kind of resource center, which greatly facilitates communication not only among local governments, but also with other stakeholders.

As he stated, Montenegrin municipalities have withdrawn 124 million EUR from European funds so far, through the implementation of 167 projects. Raičević also pointed out that “the involvement of local governments in negotiations and the EU accession process is not just a formality, but a key element that ensures sustainability and efficiency of the process and reflects the real needs and interests of citizens at the local level.”

The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Ricardo Seri, welcomed the initiative to hold the round table and said that the enlargement process should include all segments of society, including local governments.

“Local governments are closest to citizens and best understand the challenges they face. So, you have information that you can use best to make decisions. You are on the front line, and you are expected to meet the needs of citizens”, Seri said, adding that municipalities should have adequate support to be more efficient.

He assessed that it is very important to work on strengthening administrative capacities and announced that additional funds for that purpose will soon be available to local governments.

Deputy Mayor of Podgorica Luka Rakčević pointed out that the capital has excellent cooperation with all EU countries and their cities and announced Podgorica’s accession to one of the largest organizations that brings together local governments in Europe – Eurocities.

“I believe that through cooperation with you, we can come to good solutions. Using the know-how and good examples that you use in your cities, Podgorica can offer services that are necessary for all citizens”,  said Rakčević.

As part of the debate on local self-government and negotiations, the presenters were Bojan Vujović, Director of the Directorate for European Funds in the Ministry of European Affairs, Darko Mrvaljević, member of the working group for negotiation chapter 22, and Orlando Fusco, program manager from the EU Delegation, while the debates on The topic European funds – a chance for local governments was opened by Irena Bošković from the Ministry of European Affairs, Vanja Starovlah, assistant general secretary of the Community of Municipalities and Teodora Kusovac, advisor for international projects in the administration of the Capital City. The round table was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps, presidents of municipalities, and local assemblies, as well as numerous councilors in local parliaments.