Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA warmly welcomed H.E. Anne-Marie MASKAY, the Ambassador of the French Republic to Montenegro, and Mr Johann Uhres, Diplomate at the Embassy, expressing gratitude to the French government for collaborative efforts in supporting the Western Balkans in PAR and EU Integration: "Grateful for the strong partnerships and intense collaboration with the French institutions and their support and contribution to the Western Balkan region, particularly ReSPA. We have forged great public sector practitioners' networks and found crucial partners, friends and collaborators in the strong team of the French Ministry for Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Services and its DGAFP. Our collaboration reached new heights with signing the Declaration of Intent alongside Minister GUERINI in Paris. The numerous joint learning initiatives orchestrated by our French partners have significantly elevated the capabilities of public administrators in the Western Balkans and ReSPA Governing Board Members. We embraced the PACE initiative for the first time thanks to the collaboration with our esteemed DGAFP colleagues. The second group of WB civil servants will be in Paris soon, sharing their knowledge and experiences and learning from their peers as part of this initiative, coordinated by French colleagues", underlined Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA.

She also expressed gratitude to INSP for hosting the ReSPA team in Paris and assisting in identifying French experts for training. Additionally, Director HANDJISKA mentioned the support provided to the Young Cells Albania project and joint collaborative efforts at the Forum of Francophonie, Multilingualism, and Cooperation in Europe.