15 January 2019 - Strengthening cooperation between Montenegro, i.e. the Agency for Nature and Environment Protection of Montenegro, and the European Environment Agency (EEA), was the main topic of the meeting of Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Pavle Radulović and EEA Director Hans Bruyninckx. The improvement of the system for monitoring, measuring, reporting and informing citizens about the state of the environment, as well as improving the environment altogether, were in the focus of the meeting.
Minister Radulović expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the delegation of the European Environment Agency, pointing out that Montenegro has been cooperating with this institution for ten years now. Primarily, cooperation takes place through the Agency for the Protection of Nature and the Environment, but it also includes a national network of 23 contact persons in the competent institutions in charge of observing and collecting information for reports sent to the European Agency. Radulović stressed that Montenegro had been involved in the drafting of the environmental report at the European level for the third time, which is being done every five years.
"At this moment, close cooperation with the European Environment Agency is crucial concerning closing Chapter 27. We have received encouragement that they are ready to support us on this road and appreciate our openness and cooperation, "said Radulović.
Director of the European Environment Agency, Hans Bruyninckx, stated that he is satisfied with the negotiations on further strengthening cooperation and improving the work of the Agency in Montenegro and the Balkans. "Our main ambition is to strengthen the knowledge that we must have to create sound policies and laws in the field of environment. Accurate indicators, good monitoring and reporting are crucial in moving towards a society that is greener and less affecting the climate," Bruyninckx said.
Nikola Medenica, director of the Agency for Protection of Nature and Environment of Montenegro, stressed that he sees the visit of the representatives of the European Environment Agency as a strong initiative to continue and strengthen the cooperation of the two institutions.
