Podgorica, (MINA) - Investments in children are crucial for Montenegro’s future development and reforms on the EU accession path, said Prime Minister Milojko Spajic during the meeting with UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Regina De Dominicis.

Following the meeting in Podgorica, they said that, as Montenegro progresses towards EU membership, greater investments in children will be key to reducing poverty, better protection for girls and boys from violence and preparing young people for the labor market of the future.

According to the press release from the UNICEF Office in Montenegro, Spajic and De Dominicis discussed the importance of financing the Montenegro Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee, an EU initiative aimed at reducing child poverty and improving access to quality services for children who need support the most.

They also discussed strengthening coordination of reforms in education, healthcare, child and social protection.

Spajic said that the attitude towards children and young people directly affects the future and further socio-economic development of Montenegro.

De Dominicis welcomed Montenegro’s progress in reducing child poverty, including through the universal child allowance, reminding that in OECD countries, the unfavorable position of children can lead to annual GDP losses of up to 3.4 percent.