Harmonizing with and achieving European Union (EU) standards using pre-accession funds is pivotal for Montenegro’s integration, as highlighted during the IPA sectoral supervisory boards meeting in Podgorica.
The Ministry of European Affairs reported on discussions regarding progress and outcomes across all sectors supported by pre-accession programs, emphasizing the strategic use of support to propel Montenegro’s accession process in the years ahead.
Milica Adžić, State Secretary and National Certifying Officer at the Ministry of Finance, underscored Montenegro’s commitment to EU integration through collaborative efforts of national authorities, primarily executed via the IPA framework. She emphasized that Montenegro’s IPA structures, under the EU pre-accession support framework, aim to align legislative and institutional frameworks with European standards, preparing Montenegro for full EU membership.
The significance of the new IPA initiatives lies in the expansion of national IPA structures under the Ministry of Finance’s coordination, fostering regional cooperation and alignment with EU standards. The Ministry prioritizes transparency, accountability, and partnerships, bolstered by dynamic collaboration with the European Commission and Brussels partners.
Bojan Vujović, Acting Director General for EU Financial Support Coordination at the Ministry of European Affairs, emphasized Montenegro’s advanced negotiation stages, anticipating chapter closures toward EU accession, buoyed by positive performance indicators.
Vujović highlighted the effective utilization of European funds, with IPA II showing a robust 95% contracting rate, forming a stable base for ongoing efforts under IPA III. He discussed efforts to enhance institutional capacities for managing EU funds and meeting criteria under Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments, alongside revising the Action Plan to fulfill cohesion policy requirements, ensuring Montenegro’s readiness to absorb and effectively utilize EU funds post-accession.
Vujović commended Montenegro’s administration for crafting the Reform Agenda for the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, supported by €383.5 million from the EU, with a significant portion as favorable loans and grants. He noted the government’s recent adoption of a reform list under the Agenda, focusing on crucial areas: business environment, digital and green transition, human capital, and rule of law.
Ingve Engstrom, Head of Cooperation Sector at the EU Delegation, stressed the imperative of securing resources and fulfilling remaining requirements to close all accession chapters in the near term. He emphasized the EU’s substantial financial backing through the new Growth Plan and pre-accession support, noting a reform-oriented disbursement strategy agreed upon in the Growth Plan.
Engstrom asserted that for Montenegro to derive full benefits from the Growth Plan, investments in human resources, equipment, and IT infrastructure are essential, alongside meticulous oversight of reform implementation.
In conclusion, Engstrom emphasized that the true impact of the Growth Plan lies not merely in financial provision but in executing reforms that will significantly advance Montenegro’s economic landscape.
