At the press conference which took place on April 16, it was announced that Montenegro will enter its year of chairmanship of the Berlin Process with a clear focus on people, leadership, and reforms leading to full membership in the European Union. The first event in Montenegro under the chairmanship - the Ministerial Meeting “People4Europe - Strengthening Leadership and Talent for a Reformed Public Administration Ready for the European Union” - will take place on April 20-21 in Budva.
“Montenegro has demonstrated continuity in reforms and a constructive role in the region, which is why our Presidency of the Berlin Process for 2026 is a logical step forward towards the European perspective. Montenegro is choosing Europe today and choosing reforms. In the year when we mark 20 years of independence, we have an additional motivation and responsibility to work even more strongly towards achieving full membership in the European Union,” said the Minister of Public Administration, Mr Marash Dukaj.
He emphasized that the ministerial meeting will bring together ministers of public administration from Western Balkan countries, as well as high-level officials from EU Member States and representatives of the European Union Delegation, the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), and ambassadors of Berlin Process participating countries in Montenegro.
“The central part of the event will be a ministerial discussion, during which we will focus on three key pillars of reform: strengthening leadership, attracting talent, and building capacity. Montenegro sends a message that reforms are a priority, but also that people are our greatest strength on which these reforms depend,” Dukaj concluded.
The Prime Minister’s Advisor and National Coordinator for the Berlin Process, Milica Perišić, highlighted the importance of the Presidency for Montenegro’s regional and European perspective.
“Montenegro’s Presidency of the Berlin Process this year represents an important opportunity to further affirm our role in the region and make a strong contribution to its European perspective. During the Presidency, more than 25 events are planned, including 12 ministerial meetings, culminating in the Leaders’ Summit in October,” Perišić said.
She added:
“We see this ministerial meeting as a strong start to the Presidency-one that places focus on efficient institutions in the service of citizens. Public administration reform remains at the very heart of the EU accession process, but also a key element in building citizens’ trust in institutions.”
Perišić also recalled the Presidency motto:
“Our motto, ‘Region in Motion. Owning the Change“, clearly reflects our approach. We want a region that actively works towards progress, takes responsibility, and delivers concrete and lasting results for citizens.”
The Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro, Ralf Reusch, congratulated Montenegro on assuming the Presidency and emphasized its importance for the region.
“This is an important recognition of the country’s progress and its constructive engagement in advancing regional cooperation. The Presidency provides Montenegro with a platform to shape the regional agenda, promote concrete results, and strengthen commitment to European integration,” Reusch said.
He particularly highlighted the significance of 2026 for Montenegro:
“It has already been mentioned many times that 2026 will be a year of immense importance for Montenegro, which will simultaneously mark an important anniversary of independence and enter the final phase of accession negotiations with the EU. We welcome Montenegro’s Presidency, which enjoys the full support of the German Government, and we look forward to the Ministerial Meeting on Public Administration in Budva, which is being organized in this format for the first time.”
The conference concluded that the “People4Europe” ministerial meeting represents a strong start to Montenegro’s Presidency of the Berlin Process, with a clear message that without competent civil servants there can be neither successful reforms nor strong institutions.
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