20 joint projects worth 10 million euros financed by the IPA Program of the European Union have been implemented

Мr.Risto Penov, held a working meeting with the national IPA coordinator, the director of the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination of the Republic of Albania, Ilir Becaj. At the meeting, the importance of continuing good cooperation between countries and institutions in the European integration process was emphasized.

Minister Penov has emphasized that the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania simultaneously started negotiations for membership in the European Union and mutual support in this process is important for both countries.

- The meeting discussed the continuation of the IPA cross-border cooperation in the third program period until 2027, as well as ways to overcome the challenges for more efficient management of the Program and the funds made available by the European Union. Satisfaction was also expressed with the realization of the available funds from the EU in the second program period of 94%, in which 20 joint projects with a total value of 10 million euros were financed.

For the next program period, a total of 13.8 million euros are planned for joint projects from the IPA program of the EU for North Macedonia and Albania, of which 11.9 million are from the European Union, and the rest are funds from the national budgets for co-financing the projects.

For local self-government Risto Penov. Funds from the IPA 3 Program for cross-border cooperation will be able to be implemented through public calls for projects after the signing of the financial agreement for the use of funds from the European Union.