Press release: 26 million financial support approved to Montenegro for funding environmental protection and transport projects

The first session of the Sectoral Monitoring Committee for the Operational Program - Regional Development 2012-2013 has been held on Tuesday, 9 December 2014 at 9:30 AM, in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.

In the introductory remarks, the participants have been welcomed by Ratka Sekulović, Head of the EU Fund Management Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, and Rastislav Prokopič, representative of the Directorate General of the European Commission for Regional Policy.

By the Operational Program, a financial support is envisaged to be granted to Montenegro as nonrefundable funds in the amount of EUR 22 million, and another EUR 4 million to be provided through national co-funding. The total value of the Operational Program amounts to EUR 26 million.

The participants have been informed about projects from the domain of environmental protection and transport for which Montenegro and its citizens for the first time will be granted a financial support within the IPA Component III, namely for the purpose of:

•enhancement of the water supply system and construction of wastewater treatment system and sewerage network in Berane;
• rehabilitation of Ćafe unsanitary waste disposal site in Bar;
• rehabilitation of Vrtijeljka unsanitary waste disposal site in Cetinje;
• rehabilitation of 12 large slopes at sections of the main railway line Bar-Vrbnica (Kos-Trebešica-Lutovo-Bratonožići);
• dismantling of the existing and construction of a new electric traction substation Trebešica, also on the railway line Bar-Vrbnica.

The estimated value of the project in Berane is EUR 11.7 million. For realization of the project in Bar, according to the existing design documentation EUR 3.6 million shall be needed, and for realization of the project in Cetinje, EUR 900 thousand.

The estimated value of the project of rehabilitation of 12 slopes amounts to EUR 5.7 million. According to the existing design documentation, EUR 3.6 million shall be needed for realization of the project of Trebešica electric traction substation.

The session of the Sectoral Monitoring Committee has been attended by representatives of the European Commission, as well as all other institutions involved in the IPA Component III in Montenegro, together with relevant representatives of the governmental and civil sector, municipalities, and other parties interested in the realization of projects planned by the Operational Program.

The main topics at the first session of the Sectoral Monitoring Committee have been the adoption of the Rules of Procedure, presentation of the composition of the Monitoring Committee, requirements contained in the Decision of the European Commission on conferral of management powers for the IPA Component III from the EC to the Montenegrin institutions, further steps in the IPA Component III, realization of the Operational Program – Regional Development 2012-2013, presentation of the Communicational Plan for the IPA Component III, as well as presentation of the Annual Plan of the Auditing Authority of Montenegro.

It has been concluded that the accomplishment of these projects will contribute to the protection and enhancement of environment and natural resources of Montenegro as potentials for its future sustainable social and economic development. Environmentally-friendly modes of transport will be further promoted aiming at better accessibility and mobility within the territory of Montenegro and ensuring good standards of safety and efficiency.

A close cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and local governmental authorities is requisite for accomplishment of significant infrastructural projects, same as better accountability and more efficient decision making process. Professional personnel well trained for preparation of projects and its implementation are basic prerequisites for its successfulness.

Projects developed in such a manner will incite better economic growth, encourage investors, create new jobs and ensure better living conditions for all citizens of Montenegro.

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On 25 April 2014, the Accreditation has been approved for the Operating Structure of the IPA Component III for decentralized management of IPA funds by the European Commission. The Financing Agreement, as a precondition for implementation of the Operational Program - Regional Development 2012-2013 has been signed on 5 December 2014. It has been preceded by setting up of the Sectoral Monitoring Committee for the Operational Program - Regional Development 2012-2013.