The expertise and experience of the non-governmental sector, and especially the goodwill of its representatives to support the European integration process, are of exceptional importance for the country and will play an important role in the plan to close Chapter 27 in negotiations with the European Union, which relates to the environment and climate change, said Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
He spoke today with representatives of several NGOs dealing with ecology and environmental protection, with the aim of establishing close cooperation on meeting the benchmarks for Chapter 27, the Prime Minister's Office announced.
During the meeting, Spajić recalled the plan to complete the negotiation process by the end of this year, emphasizing that the state faces a major task in which all assistance, especially that coming from the profession, is of exceptional importance.
The Prime Minister presented the Roadmap for Chapter 27, which defines Montenegro's obligations for closing that negotiation chapter, and expressed the expectation that the non-governmental sector will provide support with its experience and expertise in meeting the aforementioned benchmarks.
"The expertise and experience of the non-governmental sector, and especially your goodwill to support the European integration process, are of exceptional importance to the country and will play an important role in closing the negotiating chapter 27," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Representatives of the non-governmental sector, as announced, pointed to several environmental challenges and emphasized that education and prevention in numerous areas are key to establishing a sustainable system. Along these lines, they also pointed to the need for stronger application of penal policy, and the need for personnel and logistical strengthening of inspection and expert services responsible for law enforcement.
"The meeting also discussed the need to adapt development projects to environmental protection requirements, and it was assessed that ecology and economic development are not exclusive but complementary categories, and that it is Montenegro's natural potential that gives greater value to projects if they are implemented with full respect and protection of the environment," the statement reads.
Spajić's cabinet also said that, "taking into account the relatively short deadline and the need for several different lines of action," the meeting agreed to form specialized working groups that will contribute to more efficient cooperation and faster implementation of the necessary measures.
During the meeting, it was agreed that in the coming days, in cooperation with the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić and the Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, concrete steps in the field of future joint cooperation would be defined.
The meeting in the Government was attended by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević and Mayor of Podgorica Saša Mujović.
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