The start of the implementation of 8 projects selected under the 1st CfP for IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Montenegro – Albania 2014-2020, worth over 2.7 million Euros of EU assistance, was officially celebrated yesterday in Shkodra, Albania.
General Secretary of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Gazmend Barbullushi assessed that Montenegro and Albania have good cooperation and thanked the Montenegrin Operational Structure, the Joint Technical Secretariat and the European Union Delegation in Montenegro for joint efforts that resulted in successful contracting of 8 projects within the First Call. “I’m sure the projects will bring concrete results for the local population in the field of tourism, culture and social inclusion.”
„I would like to express particular satisfaction with the fact that for the first time we are announcing the contracting and start the implementation of the projects that will be implemented under indirect management“ stated Ivana Glišević Đurović on behalf of the Operating Structure of Montenegro. She emphasized that the European Commission entrusted Montenegro with the management of the Programme funds and that the projects are the first projects contracted to be implemented under the indirect management within the bilateral programmes. She stated that this represents a great honour for us and affirmation of good performance and recognition of maturity and responsibility of Montenegro in European integration. She added that 8 projects with a value of over 2.7 million Euros will make concrete and visible results in both countries, establish long-lasting and stable partnerships, and in this way continue to improve the standard and quality of living of the people in the programme area. She stated that a total of 30 partner institutions such as municipalities, public institutions, NGOs, educational institutions participate in these projects and that these projects are covering a 15 municipalities from the program area.
Director General of the Directorate for Finance and Contracting of the EU Assistance Funds (CFCU), Ministry of Finance of Montenegro Bojan Paunović assessed that the quality of cooperation with the Operating Structures and the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro contributed to today’s promotion of projects under the 1st CfP for IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Montenegro – Albania. He informed the participants that 8 projects worth 2.7 million euros were contracted, represent a total of 96% of the funds that were available within the 1st CfP.
Donata von Sigsfeld, Programme Manager Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro commended both countries, the work of their Operational Structures and the Joint Technical Secretariat and assessed that the Contracting Authority in Montenegro has been working hard in the process of evaluating and selecting funding proposals under this call.
The Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat Sanja Todorović stated that the interest for this Programme was big and that within the 1st CfP 86 concept notes were received and that nine times more funds were requested than was available.
After introductory remarks, representatives of the project teams of 8 projects, presented activities that will be implemented over the next 36 months. Over 100 representatives of relevant institutions and municipalities from Montenegro and Albania, representatives of projects contracted within this call as well as representatives of the civil sector and the media attended the conference.
