Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović signed today, on behalf of the Government of Montenegro, an Agreement on joint procurement of medicines, medical supplies and other goods.
By implementing this agreement, Montenegro, alongside the EU Member States, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia, will become part of the mechanism created by the EU to ensure faster, more efficient and rational procurement of medicines, medical supplies and other goods or services aimed at combating serious cross-border threats to health.
Bearing in mind that the global spread of the COVID-19 epidemic has significantly increased the demand for medical supplies and equipment and has complicated the procurement process, the EU has launched a joint procurement mechanism that will strengthen the purchasing power of contracting parties and ensure fair access to medical supplies for combating serious cross-border threats to health.
The EU has allocated emergency support in medical equipment worth EUR 3 million and EUR 50 million in long-term assistance to address the effects of the pandemic in the sectors most affected by the crisis.
Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović stressed that this time and this crisis should show and confirm the strength, solidarity and idea of a united Europe and a true commitment to make the family of European nations and states larger and stronger with the new members, and with Montenegro as the next EU member state.
“The decisive and responsible measures taken by the Government of Montenegro in a timely manner, the devoted day-to-day work of all competent institutions, and especially the understanding and discipline of citizens, strengthened by the exceptional solidarity of citizens of Montenegro, entrepreneurs, diaspora, EU and international friends, are already yielding results and show that we are up to the challenge of global proportions,” said DPM Simović.
On behalf of the Government, he thanked the European Union for its assistance so far, confident that a united Europe would resist all the challenges and be even stronger with Montenegro and other Western Balkan countries.
PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO