Podgorica, (MINA) - The focus and accelerated pace of work on Chapter 27 in Montenegro’s EU negotiations are encouraging and it is important for the country to continue in that direction, said General Director for Enlargement in the European Commission (EC) Gert Jan Kopman.

Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North (MERS) Damjan Culafic met with Koopman on Friday, and the two officials discussed the implementation of the Chapter 27 requirements.

Koopman, according to the Ministry, assessed that the strong focus and accelerated pace of work are encouraging, especially given the complexity of Chapter 27, and said that it is important to continue in that direction.

Culafic said that in the process of meeting obligations, the Ministry consistently adheres to the defined Roadmap for the realization of the final benchmarks, and added that the news about the formation of the working party for drafting of the Accession Treaty is encouraging.

He noted that all the necessary documentation was submitted to the EC by March 15, in line with the set deadline, and that comments have already begun to arrive.

Speaking about further activities, Culafic recalled that the public hearing on Natura 2000 is ongoing, and that the first Natura habitat proposal is expected to be adopted by the Government in June.

He also stated that MERS, with the help of the EU, is working on strengthening administrative capacities, necessary to meet the obligations within the set deadlines.