EU integration and regional development in Balkans

Regional leaders and experts convened in Montenegro and Croatia to discuss European Union integration and regional cooperation. In Budva, Montenegro, the ‘Public Voices Forum’ was held under the framework of the Berlin Process during Montenegro’s presidency of the initiative. The forum, organized by the Ministry of European Affairs alongside the European Union and the German government, focused on improving public communication regarding reform processes.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasized that the success of reforms should be measured by “tangible changes felt by citizens in their daily lives” rather than solely by legislative adoption. The event brought together political leaders, media professionals, and communication experts to discuss methods for making EU integration results more accessible to the public.

In Šibenik, Croatia, discussions at the ‘Days of Regional Development’ conference centered on the utilization of EU funds. Minister Nataša Mikuš Žigman reported that while Croatia achieved full utilization in the previous financial period, the current perspective has a 90 percent allocation. Future investment strategies are expected to target urban development, islands, and specific regions like Slavonia and Dalmatian Zagora to enhance productivity and competitiveness.