Agriculture Minister Ivanović discusses flood protection possibilities in Belgrade

Belgrade, Serbia (16 June 2014) -- Ministers of the Sava River Basin agreed earlier today in Belgrade that it is necessary to join efforts towards finding an optimal solution to the issue of flood protection, especially after the catastrophic floodings that have hit the region recently.

Montenegro’s Minister of Agriculture Petar Ivanović, who took part in the meeting, stated that Montenegro will provide full support to joint activities within the framework of the International Sava River Basin Initiative.

"I believe that by working together we can achieve more and Montenegro will make a contribution. We support the work of the Sava Commission, and in particular the development and improvement of early warning systems and the strengthening of the protection system. I hope we will all take advantage of the possibilities and opportunities for collaboration and avoid pitfalls of the administration," Minister Ivanović said. He thanked members of the Sava Commission for enabling Montenegro to  participate actively in the work the commission’s joint working groups as an associate member. 

Ministers of the Sava River Basin agreed to intensify activities at national levels on the ratification and implementation of previously agreed documents within the Sava Commission, in particular to facilitate the early entry into force of the Protocol on the Protection from Floods in the Sava River Basin, signed on 1 June 2010. It is necessary to further strengthen the role of the Sava Commission as a mechanism of coordination of regional cooperation through the exchange of the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin in terms of authorising the Commission to reach binding decisions on water management. It was also agreed to provide technical support to competent authorities in the member states, especially to water management administrations and hydrometeorological centres.

Finally, the ministers agreed to appoint national coordinators in order to make mutual collaboration, particularly in implementing joint projects, more efficient, and to provide enough human and material resources.