EU grants IPA funds for projects in Montenegro

The European Union will allocate EUR 28 million for projects in Montenegro related to the fight against organised crime and corruption, welfare policy reform and local government, Minister Gordana Djurovic and Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro Leopold Maurer said Monday after signing the IPA 2010 Financing Agreement between Montenegro and the European Commission.

The programme will, according to Mr Maurer, include environmental projects, two major projects for the reconstruction of railway infrastructure and wastewater treatment, as well as two new social projects one focusing on gender equality, the other on social inclusion.

Mr Maurer also announced Commissioner Fule’s forthcoming visit to Montenegro regarding the EC Opinion, adding that Montenegro is facing a difficult task of meeting not only political, but also economic and technical requirements.

Minister Djurovic explained that all three previous IPA programmes since 2007 included technical support and/or capacity building projects for the fight against corruption and organised crime.

She noted that Montenegro has thus far been using the first and second IPA components, namely transition support and cross-border cooperation programs, stressing that all the programmes and projects are being implemented as planned. She also added that the EC is closely monitoring the spending of the funds.

Mr Maurer said that, together with the TEMPUS Programme, the EU will provide EUR 30 million in total for projects in Montenegro. He added that the projects will include Government co-financing of close to 40%, or EUR 18 million, amounting to a total of nearly EUR 50 million.