Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The closing of Chapters 11 and 13, related to agriculture and rural development and fisheries, confirms that Montenegro has the capacity to adopt European standards and build modern, sustainable, and competitive agrifood systems, said line minister, Vladimir Jokovic.
“The transformation of this sector is not a short-term process, but a long-term reform that requires strong institutional coordination and partnership with all relevant stakeholders,” Jokovic said at an event in Podgorica.
A regional policy dialogue dedicated to improving sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems in the Western Balkan countries brought together high-level representatives of governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
The aim of the event was to strengthen cross-sector cooperation, exchange experiences, and define common directions for future development.
The event was organized with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations (UN) system, as part of broader efforts to strengthen policies and partnerships for the future of agri-food systems in the region.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Caroline Tissot, recalled that the transformation of agri-food systems goes beyond agriculture itself and poses a broader societal challenge.
Climate change, market instability, demographic trends, and the need for greater inclusion of young people and women in rural areas require a coordinated, regional approach and cooperation.
Tissot added that Montenegro is already making significant progress through strengthening food safety systems, investing in climate-smart agriculture, and aligning policies with European standards, but that the next phase requires integrating agriculture with environmental protection, health, trade, and social inclusion.
FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Nabil Gangi recalled that the transformation of agri-food systems is not merely an agricultural agenda.
“It is a complex system in which climate, health, nutrition, natural resources, and economic issues intersect. No challenge can be addressed in isolation, but only through a long-term and systemic approach based on reliable data, coordinated policies, and strong cross-sector cooperation,” Gangi said.
The event confirmed that European integration offers a natural framework for improving agrifood systems in Montenegro, and that regional cooperation and the exchange of experiences play a crucial role in accelerating sustainable and inclusive solutions across the Western Balkans.
