A delegation of the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) visited Montenegro on 29 - 30 September for a support and follow-up visit on the European Sports Charter. Hosted by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the programme brought together government representatives, sports organisations, local authorities, educational institutions and civil society.

The delegation was led by Antonio Parrilla (Italy) and included Joanna Paraskevopoulou (Cyprus), both representing the EPAS Governing Board, and Anton Behrens of the University of Leipzig, representing the Consultative Committee. Annamarie Phelps of the European Olympic Committees took part as Rapporteur, and Céline Guth represented the EPAS Secretariat.

At the opening session, the delegation met Zoran Jojić, Minister of Sports and Youth, and Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation. Discussions covered national sport priorities, coordination across policy areas and the role of sport in education. The programme also addressed sport governance and funding, the work of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee and national federations, and integrity in sport. 

In Nikšić, the delegation visited the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education at the University of Montenegro. In Podgorica, discussions with representatives of the Capital City of Podgorica, other municipalities and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro focused on local access to sport. The programme also explored inclusion and opportunities for persons with disabilities, athletes’ rights, and preventing harassment and discrimination in sport. 

The visit concluded with a meeting with the Directorate for Sport where the delegation shared preliminary observations and discussed the preparation of its report and recommendations, as well as follow-up after the visit.