23 December 2018 - Prime Minister Duško Marković stated in his traditional address at the end of the year that 2018 has been successful for government of Montenegro in both domestic and foreign policy terms., that Montenegro has confirmed itself as a credible member of NATO and that it has maintained the dynamics of negotiations with the EU. He pointed out that he considers economic results the greatest success.
"This was a year of strong international affirmation of Montenegro, dynamic economic development, stabilisation of political and overall social circumstances. As a new full member of NATO, this year we have confirmed the ability to take responsibility with our partners and contribute to the values of the Alliance - peace and stability. As a reliable neighbour, we have transferred our experiences to countries that are in the process of Euro-Atlantic and European integration, helping them overcome the most complex challenges. We have done all this through promoting dialogue and patience as the key guidelines of the overall progress of our region," said the Prime Minister at the traditional New Year's reception, which he hosted for high representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, figures from political, economic, cultural and public life and diplomatic corps.
The Prime Minister pointed out that in the past year Government of Montenegro has maintained dynamics in the negotiation process with the European Union.
"We have understood the encouraging messages from Brussels, especially those sent from the EU-Western Balkans Summit on the European perspective of candidate countries but the entire region as well," Prime Minister Duško Marković noted.
He said that Montenegro wants to be in the European Union, which will be shaped by its citizens, adding that the struggle for European values is a primary and most important task.
"This includes Montenegro of democratic values, a functional political system and the rule of law," PM Marković.
The Prime Minister considers economy Montenegro's greatest success in the previous year.
"In terms of achieving economic policy, the Government has make impressive results. The balance of our public finances is much better - two hundred million revenue more than in 2017, halved deficit, significantly more money for education, health, science and agriculture. The tourist season exceeded last year's record, with more than a billion euros of revenue. And just two hours ago, we learned that our economic activity in the third quarter increased by 5%, which is the third highest rate of economic growth in Europe. Montenegro is today a large construction site with 138 million euros more foreign investment than in the previous year," the Prime Minister said at the New Year's reception.
This pace of development, the Prime Minister stressed, will be quite surely continued in 2019.
"And because of this, at the end of the next year, and certainly at the beginning of 2020, this will result in the increase of living standards through the growth of personal income, new and better paid jobs, more generous pension fund and more just social benefits," said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Duško Marković said that the Government will continue to create economic growth that based on real economic parameters; growth that is sustainable and long-term; growth that will strengthen the financial and economic stability of the country.
