BUDVA/BEČIĆI – Montenegrin Ministry of Sports through the Directorate for Youth has organized a conference entitled “The European perspective of the Western Balkans within the Berlin Process – Youth Cooperation RYCO” on Friday in Bečići, Montenegro. The event brought together important decision-makers, partners and stakeholders interested in the Berlin Process.
A special guest of the event’s gala dinner was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Mr Srđan Darmanović, while the conference was opened by Minister of Sports of Montenegro Mr Nikola Janović.
The conference’s participants were also addressed with the opening remarks by Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro H.E. Maryse Daviet, Ambassador of Germany in Montenegro H.E. Hans Gunter Mattern, Ambassador of France in Montenegro H.E. Christine Toudic. They underlined the importance of the Berlin Process as a process that encourages the reforms in the Western Balkans on its path towards the EU.
The strong support to the youth agenda within the Berlin Process was also given by the UK Ambassador to Montenegro H.E. Alison Kemp, who announced the WB Summit in London with a special attention to youth issues. Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro H.E. Aivo Orav pointed out that the European Commission gives a strong support to RYCO and sees it as one of the key initiatives in the Western Balkans.
During the panel dedicated to our organization, RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blanuša pointed out that the first year of RYCO’s work shows that this organization is highly needed in the region and that, on the other hand, there is a great interest of important stakeholders – CSOs and secondary schools to work towards achieving the RYCO mission through fantastic ideas and projects.
Youth Representative of Montenegro in the RYCO Governing Board Mr Dimitrije Jovićević pointed out that RYCO really reflects the needs of young people and their aspirations and underlined that they are involved in the RYCO’s processes.
Organization of the conference was supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Robert Shuman and Konrad Adenauer Foundations.
Photo: Government of Montenegro