Ćulafić spoke with the Deputy Director General of AFD: Montenegro recognized as a reliable partner on the European path

Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić met on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat with the Deputy Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Bertrand Valkener, with whom he discussed the current cooperation and the possibilities for its further improvement in the areas of environmental protection and sustainable development, the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS) announced.

Valkener pointed out that AFD has very good cooperation with Montenegro through various projects, and expressed satisfaction with the progress the country has made on its European path.

"We have good relations and successful cooperation on numerous projects. I am impressed by the results you have achieved and I am convinced that Montenegro is on the right path towards membership in the European Union. We are proud to have opened an office in Podgorica and to be a partner in the European integration process," said Valkener.

During the meeting, projects in the field of waste and wastewater management were discussed, as well as the possibilities of their further improvement through the support of the French development agency.

MERS said that the interlocutors assessed that the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat represents another confirmation of Montenegro's European perspective, but also an important opportunity for meetings and exchange of experiences with international partners.

Ćulafić emphasized that the opening of the AFD office in Podgorica was a strategically important step that further strengthened cooperation, recalling that significant projects have already been implemented through partnership with this institution.

Special emphasis was placed on the management of protected areas and the Natura 2000 network, and the possibilities of transferring French experiences and best practices were also discussed, as well as organizing an expert visit, according to a statement from MERS.

The topic of the meeting was the fight against environmental crime, and the ways in which France is fighting this form of crime.

The interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to continue activities that contribute to raising awareness about the importance of preserving nature and the environment, with the assessment that research shows a high level of environmental awareness among Montenegrin citizens, the MERS statement concludes.