Montenegro's dedicated efforts during the refugee crisis

Deputy Prime Minister for Demography and Youth and Minister of Sports and Youth Dragoslav Šćekić, along with his team, hosted Jean Yves Bouchardy, Head of the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Montenegro.

The meeting focused on Montenegro's activities concerning the refugee crisis and the reception of displaced persons from conflict-affected areas. The UNHCR mission in Montenegro aims to support the state in securing rights for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection, building the asylum system in Montenegro, preventing and eradicating statelessness, and creating conditions for integration.

Mr. Bouchardy highlighted that Montenegro currently hosts around 100,000 individuals, mostly from Ukraine and Russia. The openness, humanity, and solidarity demonstrated by Montenegro in providing adequate assistance to refugees from Ukraine were commended, with a continuous readiness to help all foreigners in need being acknowledged.

Deputy Prime Minister Šćekić outlined the significant efforts Montenegro has made to effectively address the challenges posed by the refugee crisis. Substantial resources have been invested in healthcare and education, and such a significant influx of population significantly impacts Montenegro's demographic landscape.

Both parties agreed on the need for further engagement to ensure successful refugee integration, with sports representing a powerful tool and means of connection to overcome cultural and language barriers. Through sports activities and campaigns, awareness about the challenges refugees face, as well as their needs and rights, can be raised to facilitate their integration into Montenegrin society.

In this regard, both sides expressed readiness to further strengthen cooperation with UNHCR, emphasising the important role and dedication to facilitating the integration of the refugee population, particularly the youth, through collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and Youth, UNHCR, sports associations, and other relevant institutions.

The meeting was attended by Sanja Jokić, Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister for Demography and Youth, and Maša Stevović, Adviser for International Relations to the Deputy Prime Minister for Demography and Youth.