The chairpersons of three parliamentary committees participated in the 28th Economic Forum to exchange opinions on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, current challenges faced by the EU such as the migrant crisis, but also the impact of tourism on the states’ industry and economy.

Chairperson of the Committee on European Integration Mr Adrijan Vuksanović spoke on the topic  “The Balkan countries in the EU. Is it still possible?”. Chairperson Vuksanović pointed out that Montenegro had shown that it belonged with the EU and its values system by maintaining good relations with its neighbours.  Mr Vuksanović emphasised that Montenegro was a constructive partner to aspirant countries and a genuine success story of the integration process.  Chairperson Vuksanović voiced his view that, with its EU membership, Montenegro would enrich Europe, reminding that it had always fostered multi-ethnic harmony and diversity.

During the discussion that followed, the participants from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary discussed the European perspective of the Western Balkans and possible solutions for overcoming the current challenges.

The panel titled “The ABC of Tourism - To Present, To Promote, To Partake” was marked by the exchange of opinions on the economic challenges and the ranking of tourism destinations, as well as the opportunities for promoting national products for tourism purposes and the way to interest potential tourists to revisit those destinations.

Within this panel, the participants were addressed by Chairperson of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget Mr Predrag Sekulić.  He pointed out the significance of tourism for Montenegro’s economy and the increase of its share in the GDP.  He reminded that the investment projects in Montenegro had contributed to Montenegro’s positioning as a high quality tourist destination, pointing out that a world tourism organisation (WTTC) ranked Montenegro as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations. Furthermore, Mr Sekulić reminded of the government’s investments in the infrastructure in the north of Montenegro, which would enable faster development of winter tourism.

The 28th the Economic Forum held in Krynica-Zdroj has gathered participants from 60 countries.