Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Milan Roćen met today with Alexander Avanesov, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro. Noala Skinner, head of the UNICEF Office in Podgorica also attended the meeting.

Avanesov officially informed minister Rocen that Montenegro had been confirmed by the UN Development Group as one of the countries suitable for the implementation of the project Delivering as One, through a newly introduced financial mechanism. The project aims at providing support to development needs of the country and enhancing coordination of UN agencies working to that end.

Minister Rocen said the fact that Montenegro was selected as one of the three countries where this relevant project would be carried out, is a proof of Montenegro’s strong commitment to a greater role of the UN in tackling the challenges of modern times, as well as of Montenegro’s respect for the core values and principles of the UN and its determination to contribute to the realization of Millennium Development Goals. Minister Rocen and Avanesov expressed satisfaction with the existing relations between the Montenegrin Government and the UN agencies represented in Montenegro, and agreed there was a need for stronger mutual cooperation on regional matters, such as the issue of refugees and IDPs.

Special attention was given to the upcoming regional consultations of European countries and the Commonwealth of Independent States on the International Aid Transparency Initiative to be held in Budva, July 6-7, which, as pointed out, had an important role in harmonizing standards for more efficient, transparent and coordinated use of donor funds.

Minister Rocen underlined the importance of partnership with the UN and its agencies in the context of Montenegro’s internal development goals and its foreign policy objectives.