The role of local authorities in a rapidly changing Europe was the topic of the 21st NALAS Assembly – the network of associations of local authorities of Southeast Europe, held today in the Romanian city of Sibiu. The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UOM) was represented by the Mayor of the Municipality of Bar, Dušan Raičević, Secretary General Mišela Manojlović, and her assistant Milica Radojičić.
Speaking at the forum “From EU reforms to local results – ensuring change where it is needed,” Raičević assessed that without strong municipalities, there can be no successful European reforms.
– Regardless of where reforms are created, they are ultimately confirmed or challenged precisely at the local level. This brings us to the challenge where municipalities are often not sufficiently consulted during their creation, and later receive obligations they must fulfill in order for reform goals to be achieved and funds to be drawn. It is precisely here that I see significant room for improving European reform policy. If we want reforms to be successful, local governments must be involved earlier and more systematically, not only as implementers but also as partners in shaping them. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of the LORAI programme, which is jointly implemented by the European Union and the Council of Europe with the countries of the Western Balkans. This programme represents an important step forward, as it strengthens the role of municipalities in monitoring and implementing reform agendas, introduces clearer indicators, and opens more space for dialogue between different levels of government – said Raičević.
Speaking about the role and importance of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, he pointed out that thanks to its activities, one of the key problems that municipalities faced in practice has been resolved, namely the issue of project pre-financing, through the legal establishment of a revolving fund.
Raičević also stated that the Municipality of Bar, which he heads, has proven to be a reliable and strong partner in the implementation of European policies, having implemented 11 projects in the previous period through which a total of around two million euros was withdrawn from European Union funds.
– For us in Bar, EU projects are not important only because of the financial component. They have brought us valuable knowledge, new experiences, stronger institutional capacities, and concrete benefits for citizens through the valorisation of tourism potential, improvement of local infrastructure and urban mobility, and the introduction of new technologies into the daily functioning of the administration and the city – said Raičević.
Dragić was elected President of NALAS
He was elected President of NALAS for a one-year term Emil Dragići, President of the Association of Municipalities of Romania and Mayor of the Municipality of Vulcana-Băi. He took over the presidency from Dubravka Bilića from Croatia, who had held that position until now.
NALAS is one of the most important regional networks of local governments in Southeast Europe, bringing together 14 associations with a total of around 9,000 local authorities and over 80 million citizens.
