The meeting with the youth belonging to the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) was marked by the discussion in the topic of European integration, with focus on the values which the Balkan countries strive to provide through united aspiration towards the EU membership, with the accent on the role and activism of the youth.
Expressing particular pleasure, but also responsibility due to the opportunity to discuss with the youth on this topic, the chair of the meeting, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on European Integration Ms Marija Maja Ćatović said that the Western Balkans countries, in spite of their differences, shared similar problems and challenges, and in that respect she emphasised the importance of mutual cooperation and providing assistance in the process to which each of them aspired. Presenting Montenegro's results so far on its path towards the EU, Ms Ćatović noted that the existence of absolute consensus of parliamentary parties with regard to reaching European standards and finalising reforms as an inseparable part of the integration process contributed to the dynamics of negotiations on Montenegro’s accession to the EU.
In that respect, it was highlighted at the meeting that the EU membership opened the possibility of reaching standards of modern democracies, with necessary implementation of reforms. The participants in the meeting viewed the European integration as an inexhaustible topic, and that the progress of the countries in the region regarding the integration process was visible despite certain issues that were still opened, and which needed to be resolved by principle of mutual cooperation and keeping of friendly relations. In all of that, it was estimated that the youth were not only initiators and holders of the entire process, but also future key consumers of benefits of the reformed society.
On behalf of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies, Mr Kerim Međedović addressed the attendees, and informed the MPs on the regional project, aimed at gathering the youth for the purpose of considering the issues of common interest, in order to create prerequisites and concrete recommendations for decision makers who create relevant policies. He used the opportunity to thank the MPs on their invitation for a more intensive cooperation and informed them on the programme of the General Assembly of this organisation, to be held in Podgorica tomorrow, to mark 15 years of work.
In addition to the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on European Integration, the participants in the meeting included MPs: Ms Branka Tanasijević, Mr Srđan Perić, Mr Goran Tuponja, Mr Mladen Bojanić, Mr Dritan Abazović, and Mr Andrija Popović.
Additionally, within the programme Open Parliament, prior to the meeting with the MPs the youth from ALDA toured the building of the Parliament, and on that occasion they were informed on the history, competencies, and the manner of functioning of the Parliament of Montenegro.