Stronger cooperation for more successful implementation of the IPA and better effects of reforms

All bodies involved in contracting and implementing of European Union funded projects should strengthen their co-operation and capacities in order to make projects sustainable and successful, was stated at the Sectoral Monitoring Committee meeting.

Sectoral Monitoring Committee meeting was held today in Podgorica, co-chaired by the Deputy Chief Negotiator and National IPA Coordinator Ms Ivana Glišević Đurović and Head of the Cooperation Section in the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro Mr Hermann Spitz.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the line ministries, non-governmental organizations and Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro. It considered the current situation in the sectors covered by IPA II regarding the implementation of actions/ projects as well as plans for the forthcoming programming period 2019-2020.

Participants agreed that it is necessary to upgrade the inter-sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and to strengthen capacities of all bodies involved in the implementation of IPA. It is jointly agreed that it is necessary to strengthen donor coordination within the sector and to pay more attention to the sustainability of projects. Participants stated that in their activities, priority would be given to the implementation of IPA projects, in order to meet the deadlines for contracting and thus to contribute to the successful implementation of EU pre-accession support.

National IPA Coordinator Ms Ivana Glišević Đurović pointed out that during the first half of 2018, the activities related to the preparation of tender documentation and the publication of tenders for actions included in the action programmes and programming of IPA 2018 were intensified.

Ms Glišević Đurović pointed out the importance of constant communication and cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union and the European Commission, as our partners dedicated to the same goal - that the financial support provided by the European Union is utilized in the best possible way for the reforms and priorities of Montenegro.

Head of the Cooperation Section in the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro Mr Hermann Spitz said that EU support should be used to maximize the effects of reforms and fulfil the Montenegrin priorities and that the focus on the sectoral approach is in line with national strategies. He pointed out that the European Council and the European Parliament are in the process of discussing the IPA III, for which the EU will increase allocations, with greater flexibility of resources and keeping the focus on the sector approach, as well as on the priorities arising from the EU accession process.

SECTOR FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE PROCESS OF ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO