Kordić-Šreder: Montenegro is successful in using EU funds

With concrete results in the process of using pre-accession funds, Montenegro shows that its place is in the European Union, said chief negotiator Zorka Kordić and head of the Unit in the General Directorate for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement of the European Commission (EC), Holger Šreder.

"In the coming period, it is important to intensify structural reforms in order to make the best use of the possibilities of financial support from the EU for their implementation", it was stated at the meeting between Kordić and Šreder.

The interlocutors, as announced by the General Secretariat of the Government, expressed satisfaction with the adoption of the IPA program for last year, with a total value of around 32,4 million euros, as well as the announced support for Montenegro through the IPA 2022 program, which will be allocated through national and regional EU programs.

Schroeder emphasized the importance of the recent adoption of several programs within the Multi-Beneficiary IPA Program in the amount of 3,6 billion euros, including 3,2 billion euros for the Western Balkans Investment Framework, which also represents the beginning of the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the region.

He emphasized the importance of a strategic approach, in order to use the available funds in the best possible way.

Kordić, who is also the national IPA coordinator, announced that continuous work within Chapter 22 - Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments is a prerequisite for creating an adequate legislative and institutional framework necessary for the management of EU structural funds after membership, which enables significant financial benefits for Montenegro in the post-accession period.

She stated that the Office for European Integration will continue to be a constructive partner of the EC and other Montenegrin institutions involved in the negotiation process under Chapter 22.

Kordić also said that she is convinced that, with the professional and technical support of European partners, Montenegro will successfully work towards reaching the standards necessary for the effective implementation of one of the most important European policies.

The meeting was held as part of the EC's regular Program Mission, which takes place in Podgorica.