Montenegro received an extension of the deadline for the implementation of the IPARD II program

The meeting was preceded, as announced by the Ministry, by a separate bilateral meeting between the relevant minister, Vladimir Joković, and the head of the pre-accession unit for the neighborhood, enlargement and pre-accession assistance of the European Commission (EC), Frank Bollen.

Montenegro received an extension of the deadline for the implementation of the IPARD II program, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management announced.

Representatives of the Ministry and the European Union (EU) held in Podgorica the second meeting of the Committee for Monitoring the IPARD III Program, where the results achieved during the implementation of the IPARD II Program were summarized and the goals and activities of the measures through which the IPARD III Program will be implemented were defined.

The meeting was preceded, as announced by the Ministry, by a separate bilateral meeting between the relevant minister, Vladimir Joković, and the head of the pre-accession unit for neighborhood, enlargement and pre-accession assistance of the European Commission (EC), Frank Bollen, with his associates.

"Bollen officially informed Joković that the submitted initiative was adopted, which refers to the possibility that the funds from the IPARD II program will be spent by the end of the next year, which would allow Montenegro additional time for the realization of the investments that will be contracted", it is stated in announcement.

This initiative was officially submitted in March of this year, at a meeting between Joković and European Union (EU) Commissioner Janus Vojčehovski in Brussels.

Joković pointed out that this is another proof of the partnership relationship, and that the importance of this additional condition for Montenegrin farmers is crucial in order to improve existing production.

During the session of the Monitoring Committee, representatives of the Ministry summarized the results of the implementation of the program so far and informed those present about the set framework for further activities, as well as changes to the IPARD III program, plans and schedule of obligations for the next period.

Bollen said that he believes that Montenegro will use this additional condition for the consumption of funds in the next year in the right way, but also reminded of the responsibility and obligations that should be undertaken in order to start the implementation of the IPARD III program in a timely manner.

He expressed his belief that there is interest in EU funds on the ground and that he is very interested in hearing from the users themselves about their experiences in using IPARD funds, especially about the awareness of the benefits that this program provides through non-refundable support.

To that end, after the Committee meeting, a visit to IPARD users from the municipalities of Podgorica and Ulcinj was organized for EC representatives, where they could see all the challenges in implementing the program in direct communication.