Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Milan Roćen received today, March 24, 2009, new Chief of Mission of International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Montenegro, Ms. Elizabeth Tsakiri, who submited her introductory letter.

Minister Roćen congratulated Tsakiri on taking office. He expressed content with co-operation with IOM Office so far, and stated assurance that future co-operation on formulating Migration Policies will contribute to uplifting of overall social and economic development in Montenegro. Minister highlighted the significance of this organization for strengthening national capacity in the area of control of borders, fighting illegal migrations and organized crime, which are issues of great interest for faster progress of Montenegro towards European integration.

Interlocutors pointed to raising importance of migration issue on global, regional and national levels and discussed modes of co-operation in the context of forthcoming Montenegrin presidency over The Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI).

Both parties underlined importance of the openness of IOM for full co-operation with Government and civic society on the matters of common interest, and they expressed assurance that present and future projects will improve quality of fulfilling Government’s goals on internal level, as well as within regional initiatives and process of European and Euro-Atlantic integrations.

Roćen informed Tsakiri of current political and economic developments in Montenegro.