Montenegro

The Third Public Hearing on the Strategic Coherence Framework: Implementing structures are a precondition for the EU funds

Podgorica, 28 February 2011

For further successful steps of Montenegro towards membership in the EU it is necessary to strengthen the institutional and administrative capacities, to enhance the process of harmonization of legislation with the EU acquis and to implement strategic development goals. Sustainable development in all three sectors which are in the focus of the Strategic Coherence Framework (SCF), including environment, transport and human resources development, is a basis for successful European future of Montenegro.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, with the support of the Capacity Development Programme (CDP) and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro organized the third public hearing on the Strategic Coherence Framework and Operational Programmes for the III and IV IPA components with the national priorities, as well as the priorities of the European Union. This public hearing was organized within the project “Strengthening Capacities for IPA Programming and Implementation in Montenegro”, funded by the EU and implemented by the CDP.

At the opening of the third public hearing, Ms. Slavica Milačić, State Secretary for the European Integration and National IPA Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro said: “Operational use of the funds within the III and IV IPA component and the so-called good absorption capacity means establishing a Decentralized Implementation System (DIS) for management of EU funds, and we are planning to conduct this by the end of the next year. This also means setting up an appropriate legal and institutional framework, as well as implementation structures.” She further explained that this would be reflected in practice through the creation of new jobs and better positions, through greater employment opportunities for the working age population, higher level of quality and productivity, openness, security, as well as better prospects through equal opportunities for every individual to utilize their knowledge and creative potential. “The EU Delegation to Montenegro negotiated about potential projects until the end of last year, while that task will from now on be under the auspices of national institutions, which will require lots of efforts,” Ms. Milačić pointed out.

Mr. Nikola Bertolini, Head of Operations Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro informed that within the III IPA component for regional development 30 million Euros would be allocated starting this year until 2013, with special focus on environment and transportation. “In that period of time approximately 6 million Euros will be allocated in the framework of the IV IPA component for development of human resources. Within this component, there are different priorities – social inclusion, labour market, employment, etc.. Those funds will be available for use after Montenegro set up a good implementation structure. This will need to be accredited at the national level, but also by the European Commission. The process will take time, and we estimate that by the end of next year you will be able to finalize the process of preparations,” Mr. Bertolini explained.  

Mr. Alexander Avanessov, UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator to Montenegro emphasized that in order to achieve sustainable development Montenegro should build a more open economy based on free trade and tackling new international markets to provide additional opportunities to reinforce export of its goods. It would also be necessary to facilitate the exchange of people, goods and capital into its local economy. “Higher level of preservation of natural resources and environment protection, improving railway and maritime sector as environmentally friendly transport modes, reducing the gap between the existing skills of labour force and new requirements of the labour market are some of the aims of Montenegro in the areas of regional and human resources development,” Mr. Avanessov said. He also reiterated that the UNDP Montenegro would continue, through its programmes and projects, to support the efforts of the country in achieving its strategic goals.

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The Strategic Coherence Framework was presented by Aleksandar Drljević from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration; the Operational Programmes for the III IPA component were presented by Siniša Stanković from the Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Development and by Maja Mijušković from the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs; while the Operational Programmes for the IV IPA component were presented by Irena Peric from the Employment Bureau of Montenegro. Representatives of the EU Commission Directorates General for Enlargement, European Neighbourhood Policy, Employment and Sport participated in the discussion.

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In the previous period, Montenegro was eligible to use the funds from the first two IPA components (Support for transition and institution building and Cross-border cooperation). Upon acquiring a candidate status for EU membership, Montenegro became eligible to use the remaining three IPA components related to regional development, human resources and rural development. In accordance with the above mentioned, activities were undertaken in terms of introduction of Decentralized Implementation System (DIS), which should enable the transfer of ownership of the management of IPA funds from the European Commission to the Administration of Montenegro. By establishing these structures preparations are also being made for structural funds, which will be available when Montenegro becomes a full member of the EU.

In accordance with the conclusions of the Government of Montenegro from December 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration started with preparatory activities relating to the establishing of a system for effective use of funds that will be available through the IPA Component III - Regional Development and IPA Component IV - Human Resources. The Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and European Integration provided technical assistance for establishing of the entire system for future use of available funds through the mentioned components. The first step towards establishing the strategic, legal and institutional framework is the creation of the Strategic Coherence Framework (SCF) and the Operational Programmes for the IPA III and IV components, as well as establishing of necessary structures.

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The project “Strengthening Capacities for IPA Programming and Implementation in Montenegro” is funded by the EU. The Project is managed by the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and implemented by the Capacity Development Programme. The main objective of this project is to strengthen the capacities of the State administration for successful coordination, programming and implementation of IPA resources. It is 12 months long, with a € 154,699 budget, and its implementation started in December 2010.

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Capacity Development Programme - CDP was established in September 2003, as partnership between the Government of Montenegro, the Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro. CDP’s key task is to contribute to the efforts in developing institutional and administrative capacities for the process of European Integration.