Cross-border cooperation projects have contributed to the development of border areas

Through the implementation of cross-border cooperation projects, the cooperation between institutions and organizations of cross-border areas has been significantly improved and a significant number of projects have been supported in various fields. This resulted in visible changes, especially in the fields of culture, tourism, social inclusion and economic development; this was emphasized at a two-day workshop dedicated to the exchange of experiences in the implementation of the cross-border cooperation programmes under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.

The workshop was held in Budva, organized by the Directorate-General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, with the support of the CBIB + project, and gathered representatives of the programme structures from the countries of the region, as well as the representatives of European Commission participating in the planning and monitoring of the process of implementation of the cross-border cooperation programmes.

Deputy Chief Negotiator - National IPA Coordinator Ms Ivana Glisevic Djurovic pointed out that the projects implemented so far have significantly improved the cooperation of institutions and organizations of cross-border areas, which is the basis for future joint initiatives in a number of areas, including culture, promotion of tourism offer and environmental protection, inclusion, employment and overall socio-economic development.

She stressed that, although they can not respond to significant systemic and economic challenges on their own, cross-border cooperation programs in practice are an incentive for tangible changes, reform processes and strengthening institutions at the local level. She pointed out that cross-border cooperation is one of the factors for implementing the priorities in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Western Balkans, focused on strengthening of good neighborly relations, economic development and regional cooperation.

The representative of the Directorate-General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Colin Wulf, reminded the audience that the work on the implementation of the cross-border cooperation programme further enhanced the perception of the wider public about the importance of regional cooperation, and that, over the two previous financial perspectives, a large number of institutions and organizations were directly involved in the overall process. He emphasized that cross-border cooperation programmes provide additional incentives for local development and improvement of the quality of life of citizens in bordering areas.

The workshop addressed the issue of importance of cross-border cooperation in the light of Strategy for the Western Balkans and the Sofia Declaration, as well as on the preparation for the next financial perspective IPA 2021-2027.

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