The European Union, with all its complexities and challenges, has undoubtedly provided the longest period of peace, prosperity and solidarity to its member states in the known history of Europe. The enlargement policy is a key element of that success, said minister of European affairs Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic.
In opening remarks at a roundtable on the topic “EU’s enlargement policy and the European future of the Western Balkans – challenges and future of public communication” in Brussels, Pejovic said that the “political voices of a united Europe” must be much louder and much more active both in member states and aspiring countries, in order to override the simplified and catchy messages of populism and false news.
He said that there was no doubt that the process of EU accession was a strong driving force of reform in the Western Balkans improving citizens’ quality of life.
“Since we started our European path in 2006 as an independent state, average salaries and pensions in Montenegro have been more than doubled. Our citizens can travel freely across Europe. Our students, lecturers and researchers have access to many opportunities for education and research funded by the EU, while our farmers are already receiving considerable expertise or financial support from the EU,” said the minister.
The European Commission’s Director for Western Balkans, Genoveva Ruiz Calavera, said Montenegro was a good example of communication of European values and the concrete benefits of the integration process to citizens.
“Montenegro is a very good example of a country in which we work together to explain the importance of this process to citizens,” she said, adding that the dialogue with the citizens needs to be further strengthened and promoted.
SEECOM chairman and the head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, Ognyan Zlatev emphasised the need for better coordination and joint strategic approach to communicating the enlargement policy, with the participation of institutions, civil society and the media, both in the Western Balkans and the EU member states.
The round table was organised by the Association for communications in public sector in South East Europe – SEECOM, in partnership with the EC Directorate General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
SEECOM is an association based in Budva, which seeks to promote the highest ethical and professional standards of public sector communications and good governance through professional exchange between public sector communicators in South Eastern Europe. Its members include directors of government communications offices, communications advisers to heads of government, government spokespersons and other senior public sector communicators in 13 countries of South East Europe.
