Montenegro makes progress in environment and climate change, transport, energy and regional policy, but must accelerate reforms
Montenegro has made efforts and progress in the areas of environment, climate change, transport, energy and regional policy in difficult times, but must accelerate reforms and improve implementation results. This was concluded at the 14th meeting of the Sub-committee on Transport, Environment, Climate change, Energy and Regional Policy between Montenegro and the European Commission.
The meeting underlined the importance of this Sub-committee, bearing in mind that the areas it covers have a great impact on the overall development of Montenegrin society and improvement of the quality of life of all citizens, as well as the fact that it tackles 24 out of the 87 final criteria that Montenegro received in 33 negotiating chapters.
It was assessed that Montenegro made progress when it comes to legislative alignment with the EU Acquis, with many related activities successfully completed or in the final phase of completion, but that the demanding phase of implementation and application of the acquis is still ahead. This requires continuous strengthening of administrative capacities as well as funds necessary for development of infrastructure in accordance with the EU standards.
Deputy Chief Negotiator, Marko Mrdak, reminded that in the field of transport and trans-European networks, the Law on Roads, the Law on Amendments to the Law on Air Traffic, the Law on Passengers' Rights in Maritime and Inland Navigation, as well as the Law on Amendments to the Law on Maritime Safety have been adopted. He pointed out that, by the end of the year, Montenegro expects to adopt the 2021-2022 Action Plan for the implementation of the 2019-2035 Transport Development Strategy, as well as the adoption of the Draft Law on Railways by the Government, which will thus further resolve the independence of the railway regulatory body and passengers' rights in the railway traffic.
When it comes to Chapter 15 – Energy, he reminded that in July 2020 the Law on Amendments to the Law on Energy was adopted, while the Law on Safety Measures for Exploration and Production of Submarine Hydrocarbons has been prepared and will be considered by the Government by the end of 2021.
"Regarding Chapter 22 - Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments, Montenegro has continued activities related to implementation of the Action Plan for Meeting the Requirements of the EU Cohesion Policy, even in a challenging working environment marked by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which had an impact on the work of public administration. Also, dedicated work continued in order to efficiently use the available EU pre-accession assistance, as the best way to prepare for the future use of the funds that will be available to us upon the accession", Mrdak said.
State Secretary for Ecology at the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, Danilo Mrdak pointed out that the Government of Montenegro, by adopting the Action Plan for meeting the closing benchmarks in the Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change in February this year, and by preparing an Analysis on financial needs for meeting the closing benchmarks in this Chapter which is in the process of adoption, has defined clear steps that need to be taken in the forthcoming period in order to meet the obligations arising from the closing benchmarks in Chapter 27.
He reminded that, in addition to the continuous transposition of the Acquis into the national legislation, especially in the areas of industrial pollution, chemicals, civil protection and climate change, significant results have been achieved in the field of air and water quality.
"In the field of air quality, the Air Pollution Control Programme has been prepared in accordance with the NEC Directive, as well as the assessment of costs for implementation of measures defined by the Programme. The Programme was submitted to the European Commission in March this year. Also, a public debate is underway on the draft Air Quality Management Strategy for the period 2021-2029", Mrdak said.
He pointed out that in the area of water quality, draft water management plans have been prepared for the water area of two basins, Danube and Adriatic, and their adoption by the Government is planned for the fourth quarter of 2021, while several EU directives are implemented under the IPA project "Support to implementation and monitoring of water management in Montenegro".
"I am especially pleased to emphasize that on the Earth Day, April 22, 2021, Montenegro declared the first protected area at the sea - Platamuni Nature Park, while the procedure is under way for declaring two more protected areas in the sea - Katič and the island of Old Ulcinj. It is important to point out that this year's budget provides funds for continuation of the field work related to establishment of the Natura 2000 network", State Secretary said.
He pointed out that it is expected, by September at the latest, to engage a German expert, whose work will be focused on a concrete contribution to the improvement of protection and management of the Ulcinj Saline Nature Park.
Deputy Head of the Montenegro Unit at DG NEAR, Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission, Barbara Jésus-Gimeno underlined that the sectors discussed at the subcommittee between the EU and Montenegro – environment and climate change, transport, energy, regional policy – can be drivers for social and economic recovery. “Targeted reforms and public investments can help the economy to restart, stimulate growth and create employment opportunities. There is also an increased focus on economic integration, both with the EU and within the region through the European Commission’s revised enlargement methodology, the Economic and Investment Plan, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, as well as with the Common Regional Market adopted by the leaders of the region”, said Ms Jésus-Gimeno.
She noted that positive developments had taken place in some areas, but that enhanced efforts are needed to further progress on related reforms. Such progress would be reported, together with Montenegro’s state of play in these areas, in the European Commission’s next annual report on Montenegro, she added.
Commenting on the Montenegrin administration reorganisation, including changes of both expert and managerial positions, Ms Jésus-Gimeno underlined the urgent need to retain and further expand EU-expertise, re-construct the negotiating structures and reinforce the structures managing EU funds, in order to progress in the EU accession process.
