Minister Pejović participates in 2nd Forum of EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region

Montenegrin delegation, led by Minister of European Affairs Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, participated in the Ministerial Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), which is being held in Ioannina (Greece) on 11 - 12 May 2017.

The Ministers of  the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative member-states pointed to the need for coordinated action and joint implementation of projects aimed at boosting economic and social development.

Minister Pejović emphasised that cooperation within the Adriatic and Ionian region is an important incentive and tool in the process of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans. According to him, by coordinated actions in different sector policies, macro-regional approach offers the possibility to achieve better results and more efficient use of resources.

Taking part in transnational cooperation programs, particularly with EU countries, Montenegro is preparing for the future use of structural and cohesion funds, as Minister Pejović pointed out. In this respect, he underlined the importance of the Adriatic and Ionian Programme (ADRION) allocating EUR 118 million for the seven-year period, EUR15.7 million of which are allocated for IPA countries. He noted that, although the smallest member in the region, Montenegro participates in 18 of 35 selected projects under the first call of this Programme. Therefore, Montenegro secured as much as 2 million of additional funding in relation to total 15 million, exclusively based on well submitted project proposals.

The 2nd Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region was attended by the ministers of states in charge of the implementation of the Strategy, as well as representatives of the state institutions, civil society organisations and entrepreneurs of countries participating Strategy. The Forum was attended by eight representatives of civil society organisations and enterprises from Montenegro, organised by the Directorate for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and Business Start-up Centre Bar, which is a partner of the Enterprise Europe Network.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Pejović met with Greece Foreign Minister George Katrougkalos and Economy and Development Minister Alexis Charitsis. The meeting confirmed the excellent cooperation between the two countries within the framework of transnational programmes, as well as the importance of sharing knowledge and experience for the future use of structural funds. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the cooperation achieved in the framework of the Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS