Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to Minister Vladimir Jokovic, Montenegro is making continuous progress in implementing the IPARD III programme, which is one of the most important instruments supporting the development of Montenegrin agriculture and rural areas.

 

Jokovic met with representatives of the European Commission (DG AGRI) ahead of the Seventh Meeting of the IPARD III Monitoring Committee, held in Podgorica as part of the official visit of the EC delegation to Montenegro.

 

“During the meeting, discussions focused on the implementation of the IPARD III programme in the previous period, activities under Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as further steps in aligning with the European Union’s (EU) Common Agricultural Policy,” the Ministry stated in a press release.

 

Jokovic said that Montenegro has made steady progress in implementing the IPARD III programme, noting that during there were no refunds to the EU budget last year, confirming the successful implementation and contracting of available funds.

 

“The IPARD III program is one of the most important support instruments for the development of Montenegrin agriculture and rural areas. We are especially encouraged by the fact that the funds have been successfully put into investments on the ground, with strong interest from agricultural producers and businesses,” Jokovic said.

 

The total amount of non-refundable support through the IPARD III programme for the period from 2021 until next year amounts to €82 million, of which €63 million is provided from EU funds and €19 million from the national budget.

 

Vincent Cordonnier, Deputy Head of Unit G4 for Neighbourhood, Enlargement and Pre-Accession Assistance at the EC Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Montenegro is demonstrating stable and credible progress in implementing the IPARD III programme, confirming the high level of institutional commitment to European standards in agriculture and rural development.

 

“The European Commission will continue to provide strong support to reform processes and further strengthening of administrative capacities on the path toward EU membership,” Cordonnier stated.

 

Jokovic thanked the EC and DG AGRI experts for their continuous support through expert missions, technical consultations, and daily cooperation with Montenegrin institutions.

 

“The EC’s support is of great importance for the further development of our agricultural sector and Montenegro’s preparation for future EU membership. We are continuing reforms, strengthening the Payments Agency, digitalizing systems, and improving capacities in order to be ready for even more demanding support mechanisms after accession to the EU,” Jokovic said.

 

During the Seventh Meeting of the IPARD III Monitoring Committee, key topics related to me implementation were reviewed, including the status of IPARD III measure implementation, reports from the IPARD Agency and the Audit Authority, the annual report for the previous year, the communications plan for this year, and the implementation of the action plan.

 

“Special attention was devoted to amendments to the IPARD III programme, preparation of new support measures, including agri-environmental-climate measures, organic production, the LEADER approach, and investments in rural public infrastructure, as well as further strengthening of administrative capacities for managing EU funds,” the Ministry said in a press release.