With the official launch of its presidency of the Berlin Process for 2026, Montenegro has reaffirmed its role as a leader in regional cooperation and the most serious candidate to become the next member of the European Union.
Under the strong motto “Region in Motion. Owning the Change.” the Presidency focuses on public administration reform as a key pillar of institutional reliability, recognizing that as much as 40% of upcoming obligations in the negotiation process directly depend on the professionalization and capacity of the state administration. It was emphasized that no strategy can replace the strength of competent individuals, which is why the focus will be on attracting and retaining talent, strengthening integrity, and linking performance with tangible results.
Partnership with ReSPA and the support of Berlin Process partners further ensure that visions are translated into concrete solutions measurable through citizens’ trust. Through this step, Montenegro is not only accelerating its path toward the standards of developed European countries, but also becoming a driver of regional projects that will strengthen the entire Western Balkans.
Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Marash Dukaj, emphasized: “Without a functional and professional public administration, there can be no successful delivery of the European agenda. It is our responsibility to make the administration a place where the best come, grow, and stay.”
“Montenegro is moving decisively toward the standards of developed countries. Our path to the European Union is clear and irreversible, and the reforms we are implementing begin with people and end with citizens’ trust. The Presidency of the Berlin Process is an opportunity to demonstrate that knowledge and responsibility are the only secure path toward the European family of nations.”
Michael Reiffenstuel, Director for the Western Balkans, Turkey, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE at the German Federal Foreign Office, highlighted the strong support of Germany and Berlin Process partners for reforms in the region, stressing that progress toward the European Union depends not only on regulatory alignment but also on building professional public administrations.
ReSPA Director Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova thanked the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Public Administration for their cooperation in organizing the event, as well as the Government of Germany, the European Commission, and partners from the region and the EU for their continuous support in strengthening public administrations across the region.
“Today’s agenda sends a clear message – EU accession is not only about aligning legislation, but above all about investing in people. Regional cooperation is key to faster development of public administration in the region and more efficient progress toward EU membership,” emphasized Handjiska-Trendafilova.
“Building strong administrative capacities is an essential prerequisite for progress toward European Union membership. Therefore, investing in public administration means investing in the overall ability of the state to meet the obligations that membership entails,” said Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, European Commission.
People, knowledge, and leadership are the key drivers of reform and genuine readiness for European Union membership - this was the central message from the opening of the Ministerial meeting “People4Europe.”
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