The Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro Mišela Manojlović and assistant for international cooperation and European integration Milica Radojičić, participated in the 20th General Assembly of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), held in Varaždin. The General Assembly began with a conference entitled “The Role of Local Governments in Evidence-Based Policymaking for Social Inclusion and Advancing the EU Integration Process”, jointly organized by NALAS and the Association of Cities of the Republic of Croatia, with the support of GIZ.
The event brought together more than 60 mayors, representatives of local authorities, members of local government associations and partners from South-East Europe, who discussed how local governments can shape inclusive policies based on data and evidence and actively contribute to the EU integration process.
Dušan Raičević, outgoing President of NALAS and President of the Municipality of Bar, emphasized that the conference was taking place at a crucial moment for the region. “As local governments, together with our national associations, we are on the front line in addressing social challenges and ensuring that no one is left behind. EU integration is not merely a political or economic aspiration, but a commitment to inclusive development, in which local governments play a crucial role in implementing reforms that directly affect the lives of citizens,” Raičević stated.
David Oberhuber, GIZ Country Director for North Macedonia and Kosovo, highlighted that the latest EU progress reports indicate a basic to moderate level of preparedness among the Western Balkan economies for the implementation of Chapters 19 and 23. “More intensive efforts are needed to improve their readiness to meet EU requirements in the areas of social policy and employment,” Oberhuber said.
The two conference sessions featured presentations by distinguished speakers from local authorities and their associations, the EU Delegation, as well as experts and practitioners in the field of social inclusion. The General Assembly adopted the NALAS Position on Social Inclusion and Migration Management, which provides concrete recommendations for stakeholders at all levels to jointly advance the alignment of social protection systems with EU requirements.
NALAS also welcomed a new full member – the National Association of Municipalities of Albania (NAMA).
Under the rotating presidency system, Dubravko Bilić, Mayor of Ludbreg (Croatia), became the new President of NALAS. He will be supported by three Vice-Presidents – the mayors of Emil Draghici, Agim Aliu and Irfan Ćengić, who will jointly lead the Network over the next year.
At this General Assembly, NALAS received praise for its work from the Commissioner for Enlargement Marte Kos, Chair of the Governance Committee of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Jelena Drenjanin, and the member of the European Committee of the Regions and President of the Zagreb City Assembly Joška Klisovića, Fabrizija Rosija, the Director of CEMR and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania Ruth Huber.
NALAS is a regional network bringing together 13 national and regional associations of local governments from South-East Europe, including the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UoM). The network represents around 9,000 local authorities directly elected by more than 80 million citizens across the region. The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro is a full member of NALAS, meaning that it actively participates in the work of the network, including General Assemblies, working groups and joint projects. Membership is based on the principles of voluntary participation and cooperation, with the aim of strengthening local self-government, promoting decentralization and enhancing the capacities of local authorities through the exchange of knowledge and experience. The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro actively contributes to the work of NALAS by participating in projects and initiatives related to local self-government, such as improving public services, sustainable development and European integration.
