Podgorica, (MINA) - The role of municipalities in Montenegro’s EU integration process is critical, as citizens’ real needs are identified at the local level and activities that directly affect the quality of life are implemented there, it was said during the visit by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic and Deputy Prime Minister Niko Gjelosah to Tuzi.

The Ministry of European Affairs (MEA) announced that during the visit it was assessed that strong and well-organized municipalities are the starting point for any progress.

According to the press release, Gorcevic and Gjeloshaj met with Tuzi Mayor Lindon Gjelaj and exchanged views on the municipality’s economic and overall development, the ongoing development projects and opportunities to secure new funds from the EU programs.

Gorcevic said that cross-border cooperation is not only a technical framework for the project realization, but represents the essence of the European idea.

“The EU is our most important partner in this. Through European territorial cooperation programs within the IPA III perspective alone, institutions and organizations from Montenegro participate in 293 projects, with a total of EUR 63.5 million allocated to Montenegrin partners”, said Gorcevic.

Gjeloshaj said that European funds are not only a financial instrument, but also means of changing the municipalities and the state, raising standards, introducing rules, strengthening responsibility and making local communities competitive.

“Today, we are in the phase of preparing a major investment cycle that comes with full EU membership. The question is not whether funds will be available, but whether we will be ready”, said Gjeloshaj.

Gjelaj said that the “To Zero Waste” and “CROSSMART” projects represent a clear vision of a sustainable and European future of the Municipality of Tuzi.