"Over the last years Montenegro has made good progress on its EU path and as a result we have opened accession negotiations in June. These new funds will help the country to move forward on the necessary reforms, bringing closer the prospect of EU membership and producing concrete results and new opportunities for Montenegrin citizens,"Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle said after the European Commission adopted the decision about the new financial allocation.

As well as supporting priority areas, the funds will also set the ground for development of networks between Montenegrin researchers and those from the region and from the EU, and will support measures to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, including the use of information and communication technologies in high growth sectors of public interest such as health or public administration. Finally, the programme will help Montenegro better use energy and natural resources, mitigate natural disaster effects and identify durable solutions for displaced persons and residents of Konik camp.

The funding comes under a two year national programme for Montenegro of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). Since 2007, the EU has made available more than €150 million of pre-accession assistance to Montenegro. The earmarked EUR 21.3 million are part of the regular annual IPA budget which averages approximately €34 million per year for Montenegro.

The IPA money is allocated based on the actual needs of the countries to implement reforms necessary for entering the EU (political reforms, such as judicial reform, human rights etc.; economic, social and territorial development, with a view to a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; ability to fulfil the obligations of membership and alignment with EU law; regional integration and cross border cooperation). With this funding, the aspiring countries can carry out the necessary reforms and get ready for implementing European standards and policies.

Background

Since 2007, countries wishing to join the EU have received focused EU funding and support through a single channel – the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The total pre-accession funding for the period 2007-2013 is €11.5 billion. IPA consists of five components:

• Component I: Transition Assistance and Institution Building - yearly National Programme
• Component II: Cross-Border Cooperation
• Component III: Regional Development
• Component IV: Human Resources Development
• Component V: Rural Development

The execution of EU pre-accession aid begins with the definition of the Commission's intentions in terms of indicative financial allocations. This is followed by the adoption of the IPA strategic document, i.e. the Multi-annual Indicative Planning Document, based on the countries' specific needs and setting out the priorities for EU financial assistance for the period 2011-2013. The next step is the preparation, along with the beneficiaries, of programmes to set the frame for the yearly financial allocation. Finally, the programmes are implemented through specific projects on the country or at the regional level.

For more information:

Montenegro country profile:

http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/montenegro/index_en.htm

Montenegro IPA allocations:

http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/instruments/projects-in-focus/index_en.htm?theme=0801262488184a86

Source: Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro