Podgorica - The cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro and the International Organization for Migration (IOM Montenegro) was intensive in the previous period and represents a good foundation for continuing activities and achieving even better results in the future, it was announced at the meeting of the Minister of the Interior Filip Adžić with the IOM regional coordinator for the Western Balkans Laura Lungarotti and the Chief of IOM Mission to Montenegro Vladimir Gjorgjiev. 

Minister Adžić thanked for the support so far in the plan to build institutional capacities in the fight against illegal migration, organized and cross-border crime, which directly contributes to a higher level of security in the Western Balkan region and beyond.

"Montenegro has shown that it is a reliable partner, and we can proudly point out that it has stood out in the region with its solidarity and provision of refuge for a large number of people from Ukraine, the largest number of whom have temporary protection," stressed Minister Adžić. Our commitment to strengthening security is now visible through the presence of Frontex members at all borders, which improves the work of our border police and more efficiently solves the challenges associated with illegal migration, he said.

IOM regional coordinator for the Western Balkans, Laura Lungaroti, expressed her satisfaction with Montenegro's progress so far in the fight against illegal migration and pointed out that the Ministry of the Interior can count on support in the implementation of existing and new initiatives in the coming period as well.
She pointed out that there is room for further assistance to Montenegro, through significant financial resources. In this sense, she pointed out that she is convinced that this assistance will be used for further improvement of capacities, and that she is encouraged by the openness and cooperation of the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior. 

The currently implemented project "Responding to mixed migration flows in the Western Balkans region" is aimed at improving accommodation capacities, equipment and solving other challenges related to the status of migrants.
At the meeting, it was concluded that Montenegro has a clear goal, which is safe and orderly migration and the protection of human rights and freedoms of all migrants, regardless of status.
In addition to Minister Adžić, the meeting was attended by the Acting General Director for Administrative Affairs, Citizenship and Foreigners Radovan Popović, the Head of the Directorate for Foreigners, Migration and Readmission Dragan Dašić, the Chief of the Cabinet Kristina Đukanović.

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Disclaimer: The information above is a part of a mutual press release between the MoI and IOM.

For more information, please contact Edina Osmanović, tel: +382 68 865 005, email: eosmanovic@iom.int