Minister Gvozdenović meets EU’s Lange: Criteria for opening environment and climate negotiations chapter to be met soon

Podgorica, Montenegro (20 June 2016) -- Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenović hosted earlier today Head of the Department for Montenegro in the European Commission's Directorate General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Dirk Lange.The meeting focused on the Ministry's plans and steps towards adopting the National Environmental and Climate Change Approximation Strategy, thus meeting the initial criteria for opening negotiations on the Chapter 27 - Environment and climate change.

Minister Gvozdenović noted serious progress in drafting the National Strategy and voiced Montenegro's willingness to start implementing measures set up in this document. He recalled that the document was drafted in parallel with the National Sustainable Development Strategy, which puts the environment at the top of Government's priorities and defines guidelines for providing national financial instruments to fund the obligations arising from the acquis in the field of environment and climate change. The Sustainable Development Minister stressed that, in addition to a clear long-term vision, the adoption of the National Environmental and Climate Change Approximation Strategy provides the Government with a clear vision of its tasks for the next 4 years. Institutional adjustment will be the first next step in that regard in order to maintain effective implementation of planned activities, and the provision of permanent national mechanisms for financing these processes.

Mr Lange stressed the need for Montenegro to take ownership of the plans to meet EU standards in the field of environmental protection. The first step in this direction is the current strategy, for which it is necessary to provide administrative capacity and financial resources. Mr Lange also pointed out the significance of waste management in line with the EU acquis for this sub-area. He said that the European Commission is looking forward to receiving the improved draft of the Strategy.

The two officials exchanged information on the protection of the Ulcinj saltworks, stressing the importance of defining the necessary funds the Government needs to provide to solve this problem, adding that the protection of this area does not depend on economic sustainability and generating profits. Mr Lange concluded by saying that effective protection of the Ulcinj saltworks would demonstrate Montenegro's commitment to meeting EU standards in the field of environmental protection.