Official Support of the Medical Chamber of Montenegro and its UEMO Delegate for the Recognition of General Practice / Family Medicine as a Full Medical Specialty at European Level

UEMO is happy to share with you the official support message from the Medical Chamber of Montenegro:

Dear President and Members of the UEMO General Assembly,

The Medical Chamber of Montenegro (Ljekarska komora Crne Gore), through its official UEMO Delegate dr Dušan Popović, specialist in family medicine, and with the full support and endorsement of the President of the Medical Chamber of Montenegro, dr Žanka Cerović, hereby expresses its strong and official support for the ongoing UEMO-UEMS joint campaign.

The campaign aims at the formal recognition of General Practice / Family Medicine as a full medical specialty within the framework of Directive 2005/36/EC (as amended), specifically through its inclusion in Annex V, point 5.1.3.

In Montenegro, the specialization in Family Medicine is regulated by the Rulebook on Specializations of Health Workers and Health Associates (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 25/2024). The program lasts four (4) years (48 months), of which two (2) years are dedicated exclusively to training in primary health care settings. This program fully complies with and exceeds the minimum requirements set out in Annex V, point 5.1.4 of the Directive (specific training in general medical practice).

We fully endorse the UEMO-UEMS Joint Statement (updated June 2025) and share the position that General Practice / Family Medicine must receive the same formal status as other medical specialties across the European Union. Such recognition would significantly strengthen primary health care, improve the mobility of doctors across Europe, and enhance the quality of patient care in all Member States and candidate countries.

As the official regulatory body for physicians in Montenegro and as a full member of UEMO (represented by dr Dušan Popović), the Medical Chamber of Montenegro is ready to actively contribute to this important European initiative. We are prepared to provide any necessary technical input, share our experience with the 4-year specialization program, or participate in relevant working groups.

We kindly request that this letter be recorded as the official position of the Medical Chamber of Montenegro, endorsed by its President dr Žanka Cerović and submitted by its UEMO Delegate dr Dušan Popović. Please keep us informed of further steps, joint actions, or opportunities for collaboration.

Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration.

For the Medical Chamber of Montenegro

dr Dušan Popović – UEMO Delegate / Official Representative of the Medical Chamber of Montenegro

Endorsed by:

dr Žanka Cerović – President of the Medical Chamber of Montenegro