Meteorological equipment intended for the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology of Montenegro was presented yesterday in Podgorica, which includes a meteorological station, a server and computers for numerical weather forecasting and numerical early warning.

Equipment worth 38,000 euros was acquired as part of the cross-border project „Disasters do not know borders 2“, which is implemented in Montenegro by FORS Montenegro.

Opening the event, the director of the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology, Dusica Brnovic, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Institute’s technical and, indirectly, professional capacities.

“Equipment of this type enables the collection of a large number of data, which significantly improves the system of early information about possible weather disasters. Therefore, every project of this type is more than welcome, because it is precisely in line with the Institute’s development vision,” said Brnovic.

Director of the organization FORS Montenegro Veselin Sturanovic said that this procurement enables faster and more efficient forecasting of hydrometeorological conditions.

“Among other things, the equipment will contribute to the improvement of the system of early notification of potential natural disasters of meteorological and hydrological origin,” pointed out Sturanovic.

Melanie Bride, Programme Manager for cross-border cooperation in the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro, emphasized that the project not only brings new knowledge, but also creates connections and solidarity throughout the region. “Regional cooperation is the greatest value of EU-funded programs. We will continue to finance projects in Montenegro and in this area, as well as to help the local population cope with the consequences of natural disasters” Bride said.

Bojan Vujovic, acting Director General of the Directorate for EU Funds in the Ministry of European Affairs said that cross-border projects are achieving concrete results on the ground.

“Cross-border projects contribute to environmental protection and adaptation to climate change, as well as risk management. Through transnational, trilateral and bilateral programmes, Montenegro continuously supports projects that promote and strengthen good neighbourly relations and the socioeconomic development of border regions,” Vujovic pointed out.

In addition to the procurement of equipment, by the end of the project, activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of institutions and services for disaster risk reduction are expected, as well as guidelines for improving the protection and rescue system in Montenegro and Albania in accordance with good EU practice models, that will improve cooperation between units and institutions dealing with disaster risk reduction in Albania and Montenegro.

The project “Disasters do not know borders 2” is financed by the European Union within the IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Montenegro – Albania 2014-2020, and in Montenegro it is co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration. The project is implemented by FORS Montenegro and the Prefecture of Shkodra, and the total value of the project is about 530 thousand euros.

MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS