Five projects worth EUR 1.3 million will be implemented within IPA Cross-Border Programme Serbia–Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro (18 November 2016) -- Conference on the occasion of the grants the European Union is awarding for the selected projects within the 3rd Call for Proposals under the IPA Cross-Border Programme Serbia – Montenegro 2007 – 2013 took place in Podgorica earlier today.

Opening the conference, State Secretary for European Integration and National IPA Coordinator, Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, said that in the period 2009-2016, there have boon three calls for submission of projects, and that 34 out of 297 submitted joint projects from Montenegro and Serbia amounting to EUR 7.4 million were approved for financing. He pointed out that the contribution of the EU amounted to EUR 6.2 million, while national co-financing totaled EUR 1.2 million.

"When it comes to the 3rd call for proposals, which was opened in 2015, a total of 139 projects were submitted, which shows the interest of organisations and institutions in the border area for the implementation of joint projects. After the evaluation process, five projects worth EUR 1.3 million were approved, with the EU's contribution to EUR 1.1 million, while national co-financing amounts to EUR 213,000. Two projects relating to increasing productivity and competitiveness of economic, rural, cultural and environmental resources were approved, while the programme supported three projects relating to cross-border initiatives targeting the exchange of people and ideas to enhance cooperation between professional public and the civil society," Ambassador Pejović explained.

He added that cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro will be continued through the Programme 2014 - 2020, with a total value of EUR 8.4 million (EU contribution), which will support activities in the areas such as employment, social inclusion, environmental protection, and the promotion of tourism, cultural and natural heritage.

Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Aivo Orav, voiced his belief that the cross-border initiatives make a significant contribution to boosting the quality of life of the population in the border areas of Montenegro and Serbia, as well as to promoting common European values of trust, mutual respect and cooperation.

Assistant Director of the Serbian Office for European Integration Sanda Šimić thanked the Government of Montenegro for the excellent cooperation during the implementation of the Joint Programme, as well as the project's beneficiaries for showing interest.