Response to letter from participants of Wild Rivers Camp 2017

Podgorica, Montenegro (24 October 2017) -- On the occasion of the programme content published on Tuesday, 24 October 2017, in the daily newspaper "Vijesti" entitled "You are a fisherman, save the river from the small HPP" which states that "the participants of the Wild River Camp 2017" asked Prime Minister Duško Marković in writing "to pledge to protect the river and prevent further devastation of nature from the construction of small hydropower plants," the Public Relations Service of the Government of Montenegro indicated the following for the purpose of full information to the public:

The main goals of the policy of stimulating the production of electricity from renewable sources are related to ecology and sustainable development. In that sense, the Government will have no tolerance when it comes to the possible devastation of space and environmental degradation.

Considering that designing and constructing every small hydroelectric power plant is preceded, among other things, by an environmental impact analysis, investors are expected to respect the set conditions. Dealing with the activities of public interest, such as electricity production, requires a high level of social responsibility. We expect special sensitivity in relation to the ecological and social aspects of the realisation of each individual project.

Competent authorities closely monitor the implementation of this programme and will act in accordance with their legal authority.

We count  on honest and concrete contribution and support from the civilian sector in finding the optimum between the energy, ecological and development needs of oursociety.

The Cabinet of the Prime Minister is open for the direct suggestions. In particular, the issue of construction of small hydropower plants on the watercourses that build the river Zlorečica will be considered with due care in the shortest possible time and it will be followed by adequate reaction of the authorities.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO