Montenegro presented Its reform path toward EU in Berlin

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue Naida Nišić, together with Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of of Germany Bärbel Bas and the European Commission Vice-President for Social Rights, Quality Jobs and Skills Roxana Mînzatu, opened earlier today the high-level ministerial conference titled "Western Balkans Conference: Advancing Employment and Social Policy Together," which took place in Berlin.

This important event brings together six ministers of labour and employment from the Western Balkan countries, representatives of the European Commission, international organisations, social partners and experts, confirming the region's strong political commitment to a shared European path and the advancement of employment and social protection policies.

As part of Montenegro's chairmanship of the Berlin Process, the conference officially marked the beginning of the implementation of the first joint Employment and Social Policy Action Plan for the Western Balkans, representing an important step forward in strengthening regional cooperation, aligning with European standards and creating sustainable and fair labour markets.

The Action Plan covers three key areas: active labour market policies, the improvement of labour rights and inspection systems with a special focus on occupational safety and health, and the strengthening of social dialogue between governments, trade unions and employers. The document also foresees concrete regional activities to be implemented over the next two years through joint cooperation mechanisms.

"Our shared European path depends on our ability to cooperate in a substantive, responsible and continuous manner. The Berlin Process represents exactly that - a platform that brings us together around concrete results and a shared future," Minister Nišić stated in her opening remarks.

During the conference, Minister Nišić also took part in the panel titled "Identifying Common Solutions: Social Dialogue as a Driver of Sustainable Economic Development," where she presented Montenegro's reform activities in the field of social dialogue, strengthening the institutional framework and aligning with the acquis communautaire of the European Union.

Montenegro, as chair of the Berlin Process, emphasises that the goal of its mandate is to strengthen regional connectivity, improve social and labour standards and accelerate the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

The conference in Berlin represents an important step in strengthening the shared responsibility of the region and the European Union for creating a stable, fair and sustainable labour market based on dialogue, partnership and European values.