Good public governance lies at the heart of the EU integration process

“Public administration reform principles, developed by SIGMA, have been extremely useful in providing critical guidelines to the EU accession countries on how to develop a competent, accountable, and efficient public administration,” emphasised Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the Delegation of European Union to Montenegro.

He stated that the principle of good public governance is at the core of the EU integration process and is key to achieving economic growth, competitiveness, and a better quality of life.

Copyright: Europe House

"So far we had three Monitoring reports on Montenegro and in the coming days SIGMA will start the preparation for the fourth one. The Monitoring reports provide valuable input for regular dialogue between the EU and Montenegrin authorities and for the European Commission’s annual report on Montenegro " explained Serri during the event organised for senior officials of ministries and public bodies crucial for the Assessment of Montenegro’s progress in line with the agreed upon SIGMA Principles of Good Public Governance.

Successfully overcoming the numerous challenges that Montenegro faces on its path towards the EU, as Serri notes, depends on the country's administrative capacity to implement the legal acquis of the European Union.

Minister of the Public Administration Marash Dukaj stated that the analysis of past results has shown a commitment to the principles of the public administration reforms through strengthening administrative capacities and improving the legislative framework.

Copyright: Europe House

"In line with the desire to earn the full trust of citizens, we advocate for complete transparency in the work of the public administration. We are continuously developing a system to improve the delivery of services to citizens. We are initiating more intensive activities to reduce bureaucratic procedures. The foundations of a modern public administration are laid through digitalisation because citizens, businesses, and the quality of services we provide are at the centre of this process," emphasised Minister Dukaj.

In November 2023, representatives of SIGMA/OECD presented the revised Principles of the Public Administration prepared in the context of a joint initiative with the EU at the ministerial meeting in Paris. Assessments of progress in line with the Principles of the Public Administration are conducted by SIGMA in all Western Balkan countries.

The SIGMA principles constitute a comprehensive framework of standards that reflect the values and practices that citizens and companies expect from a modern public administration.