OSCE Mission to Montenegro organizes conference to strengthen regional co-operation among youth
Strengthening regional and Adriatic-Ionian cross co-operation among youth was the topic of a conference organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro with the Ministry of Sport and Youth in Budva, Montenegro on 4 and 5 April 2019.
The conference was organized within the framework of Montenegro’s Presidency of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) and gathered participants from countries of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative as well as from regional youth organizations, including the Regional Co-operation Office (RYCO), the Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO), the Western Balkan Fund and the European Youth Card Association (EYCA). The interactive nature of the conference encouraged participants to network, share good practices and discuss experiences and key challenges of regional cross co-operation.
In her opening remarks, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, emphasized that “the OSCE has recognized the importance of working with youth especially in contributing to peace and security”. She thanked the Slovakian OSCE Chairmanship for identifying youthengagement as a top priority for 2019.
Montenegro’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Nikola Janović,underlined his Government’s commitment to “strengtheningco-ordination mechanisms and creating better synergies with regional initiatives and organizations.” He stressed that theconference is an opportunity to highlight activities that promote the European Union’s strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian region and foster good neighbourly relations and co-operationwith the goal of enhancing opportunities for young people.
This conference was part of the overall assistance that the Mission provides in the area of enhancing youth participation through the better positioning and increased co-operation among youth in the region. This support includes assistance to the RYCO initiative and the Directorate for Youth in the Ministry of Sports and Youth.