Montenegro

 

EU integration process

 

After the independence in 2006, Montenegro’s EU perspective was reaffirmed by the EU. In October 2007, Montenegro signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), which has not entered into force yet. The country submitted the application for the EU membership in December 2008, but the European Commission has not yet submitted its opinion.

 

Transnational and cross-border programmes with Member States

 

Montenegro is participating in the multilateral IPA Adriatic cross-border programme involving the costal areas of Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Serbia.

Montenegro also participates in the ERDF transnational programme South-East Europe (SEE) and Mediterranean (MED) programme under the European Territorial Co-operation objective of the Structural Funds 2007-2013. Both programmes aim to support the participation of partners from candidate or potential candidate countries in joint trans-national co–operation activities together with partners from EU Member States.

 

Cross-border programmes with Western Balkan neighbours

 

Montenegro is taking part in four CBC programmes with Western Balkan neighbours – Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania.

The first Call for Proposals under the programme with Albania was launched on June 29^th, 2009, and was closed on September 29^th, 2009.

The first Call for Proposals under the programme with Bosnia and Herzegovina was launched on July 9^th, 2009, and closed on October 9^th, 2009.

The first Call for Proposals under the programme with Serbia was launched on June 25^th, 2009, and was closed on September 23^th, 2009.

The first Call for Proposals under the programme with Croatia was launched on August 21^st, 2009, and will close on November 18^th, 2009.

 

National IPA CBC Coordinator

 

The National IPA Coordinator for Montenegro is Ministry for European Integration.

 

CBIB Support

 

CBIB established a regional office in Podgorica in 2008. For the second phase of CBIB, through the Needs Assessment Analysis process, it was agreed with the beneficiaries that the CBIB office will be located in Kotor. The office was established as fully operational in May 2009, with the senior Key Expert and the Junior Long-Term Local expert.

CBIB directly supported the preparation of four cross-border programmes with WB neighbours Montenegro participates in, the establishment of Joint Management Structures for these programmes - Joint Monitoring Committees and Joint Technical Secretariats with Antennae, preparations for the 1st Call for Proposals, launching and implementation of the CfP.

In accordance with the country-specific Work Plan, support is provided through capacity building activities such as on-the-job training and training sessions on the topic of IPA CBC programme management and implementation, project proposal evaluation programme monitoring and audit, as well as in every-day work.

Through awareness seminars and trainings in project proposal preparation, CBIB is providing capacity building to Montenegrin Potential Applicants as well, raising their awareness on funding opportunities under IPA and enhancing their project preparation and implementation knowledge.