Dukaj: Montenegro wants to accelerate regional integration with the EU digital market through the summit

Montenegro aims to accelerate regional integration with the EU's Single Digital Market through the Western Balkans Digital Summit, focusing on more affordable roaming, cybersecurity, digital identity, and the development of new e-services, said Montenegro's Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Marash Dukaj, to Forbes. Montenegro is hosting the Western Balkans Digital Summit, which brings together all six regional economies and focuses on connecting digital markets, public services, cybersecurity, and aligning with the EU's Digital Single Market. Regarding the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration, data protection, and responsibility, Dukaj states that AI is viewed as a tool for faster, more transparent, and accessible public services. AI must not replace human responsibility in making final legal and administrative decisions, nor should it be used to shift accountability from the state to algorithms. Dukaj emphasizes that citizen data protection is inviolable. 'We develop AI services fully in accordance with GDPR standards and the EU AI Act, with full transparency and accountability in algorithm application. Infrastructure gaps are also being addressed locally through digitalization of local governments and cooperation with the EU, such as the 'Municipalities for the EU' project.' The goal is for each municipality to provide equal quality digital services. In collaboration with UNOPS, a feasibility study has been conducted for establishing a national data center, an important step toward safer and more efficient management of the country's digital infrastructure. 'Our aim is for Montenegro and the Western Balkans not to wait for EU membership to become part of the European digital space but to connect now—through common standards, more secure digital services, interoperability, and stronger regional cooperation.'