The Government of Montenegro plans to close chapters 11 - Agriculture and Rural Development and 13 - Fisheries by the end of the year, said the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Vladimir Joković.
At a meeting with the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, he said that to that end, they expect the formation of a Payment Agency and the adoption of a number of important laws that are a condition for closing these chapters.
"According to our plans, Chapters 11 and 13 will be closed by the end of this year," Joković said.
According to him, Chapter 12 - Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control, which is very demanding, remains.
"According to the planned dynamics, it should be temporarily closed by the end of 2026," Joković pointed out.
Joković pointed to the success of the IPARD II program and informed Satler that they have great interest in the IPARD III program, which is worth EUR 64 million.
"There is a large foreign trade deficit, and with the implementation of new investments through IPARD III, I hope that we will reduce that figure," said Joković.
He pointed out that MONSTAT data show an increase in agricultural production.
"We achieved this mostly thanks to investments through the previous IPARD program and we must continue that trend," said Joković.
Sattler emphasized the importance of the agricultural sector both in the EU and in Montenegro.
He praised Montenegro for achieving a 90 percent utilization rate of EU funds under the IPARD II program, emphasizing that even greater support for local farmers and food producers is now available through IPARD III.
As stated in the statement, during the meeting it was emphasized that the formation of the Paying Agency, which will manage large EU funds, must be accompanied by the strengthening of human resources capacities.
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