11 November 2025, Podgorica, Montenegro

The ReSPA Director joined distinguished representatives from the European Commission, Government of Montenegro, GIZ, regional governments, and quality infrastructure institutions from the region and EU MS to discuss how the Academy will turn political commitment into tangible progress across the Western Balkans.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasized the highest-level political support and underlined that the Academy is a symbol of the European future, and as part of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, it should become an instrument for connecting the entire region: “The Academy will help experts from the country and the region to work at the same standards as their EU colleagues, and to bring citizens and businesses – safer products, a fairer market and a more competitive economy.”

H. E. Johann Sattler, Ambassador of the European Union, noted that the EU stood by all its partners in the region and was there to support businesses throughout the Western Balkans, stressing also ReSPA's important role as a regional anchor.

H. E. Peter Felten, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro, noted that this Academy represents what his country seeks to promote in relation to the Western Balkans – closer cooperation and stronger integration, all based on the EU acquis that supports the Western Balkan countries.

The launch saw the formal signing of the contract for the Academy by Ambassadors Sattler and Felten, as well as GIZ Country Director Daniel Bagwitz, and its symbolic launch by Minister Gorčević and GIZ Head of Project Tanja Bošković, GIZ Project Manager.

Moderated by Tanja Bošković, GIZ, high-level panel, gathered Director Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, Minister Maida Gorčević, Outi Slotboom (Director DG Grow, European Commission), George Tsorbatzoglou, Tanja Miščević, and Dragan Pušara, who discussed the potential of Single Market Academy in building trust, skills and confidence.

Minister Maida Gorčević underlined: "I’m really proud that, with the support of the European Commission and GIZ, this project is kicking off right here in Montenegro with ReSPA as our key regional partner. Together, we’re building a bridge to the EU — a bridge of knowledge, cooperation, and trust”.

In her remarks, Director Handjiska Trendafilova underlined that the success of the Western Balkans’ integration into the EU Single Market depends not only on the adoption of regulations but also on empowering the people and institutions responsible for their implementation: “It is a real honour to be part of this event and the launch of the Single Market Academy. At ReSPA, we believe that the strength of the Western Balkans’ integration into the EU Single Market depends not only on regulations, but on people – their knowledge, skills, and capacity to act.

Regional capacity-building is not a technical exercise, but the foundation of our shared European future. Through cooperation, learning, and exchange, we ensure alignment with EU standards while empowering our civil servants to anticipate, innovate, and respond effectively to complex challenges.

The Single Market Academy will provide an important boost to these efforts through targeted training, peer learning, and networking. By joining forces, we can help ensure that the region is ready not only for today’s requirements, but also for the opportunities and responsibilities that full participation in the EU Single Market will bring.”

Highlighting lessons learned, she noted that while structured training remains essential, networking, peer exchange, and mobility add unique and irreplaceable value. ReSPA’s facilitation of over 100 peer exchanges with EU Member States and among Western Balkan administrations has proven instrumental in strengthening institutional preparedness for future EU membership obligations.

She further encouraged more active participation in relevant EU professional networks such as CEN, CENELEC, EA, EURAMET, and WELMEC, emphasizing that it is within these collaborative environments that civil servants gain practical insights into the evolving EU standards and regulatory practices.

In her concluding message, Director Handjiska Trendafilova reiterated: “The alignment with the EU Single Market is defined by strategic, institutional, and legal frameworks, but its success primarily depends on people - their knowledge, dedication, passion, and capacity to learn and grow. For this reason, ReSPA is committed to supporting the Single Market Academy as a beacon of learning, growth, and cooperation in the Western Balkans.”