Montenegro makes notable results in using Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)

Eighth meeting of the Oversight Committee for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), which was co-chaired by State Secretary for European Integration and National IPA Coordinator Aleksandar Andrija Pejović and Director of Directorate B for candidate countries at DG Enlargement Alexandra Cas Granje, took place earlier today in Podgorica, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

In his opening address, Ambassador Pejović underlined that Montenegro is making notable results in using the available funds. Within Component I, over 98% have been agreed on and 95% paid of the overall available funds for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Of the funds available for 2011, 2012, and 2013, around 66% has been agreed on, and around 35% has been paid. When it comes to Component II, over 87% have been agreed on and 82% paid of the overall available funds for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Of the funds available for 2011, 2012, and 2013, 25% has been agreed on, and around 17% has been paid, Mr Pejović has noted. He stressed the fact that this Committee is meeting in a different framework, meaning that today it is able to take into account the issues related to IPA II and plans for the 2014-2020 financial perspective, as well as the activities to e undertaken within Components III and IV (Regional Development, and Human Resources Development). He noted that for these two components Montenegro has recently signed financial agreements, which means that all conditions have been met to start implementing the programmes for these components.

Ms Cas Granje commended Montenegro and underlined that great progress has been made, and she noted that the Commission has adopted Montenegro’s Strategic Document for IPA 2014-2020, which defines national priorities for IPA II funds. She added that over the next seven years Montenegro will have access to EUR 270.5 million of grants. Transfer to Montenegro of the ownership of the funds management is a very important segment of the negotiation process, Ms Cas Granje has underlined. In that regard, it is very important that Montenegro will start using IPA Component III and Component IV.