The 5th meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee was held in Podgorica on April 11, 2012 on the occasion of the evaluation of the project proposals submitted under the 2nd Call for Proposals within the Cross-border Programme Serbia – Montenegro under the Instrument for Pre – accession Assistance (IPA). Ms. Ratka Sekulović, Head of the Directorate for cross-border cooperation programmes, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, while addressing the media, stressed the importance of the absorption of IPA funds within the Programme, which will contribute to the capacity building during the period of accession to the EU. The European integration process implies mutual cooperation in areas of common interest, considering the good cooperation as the basis of stability, economic development and good-neighborly relations. Cross-border cooperation between Serbia Montenegro is one of priority, because in it participate fifteen municipalities from Montenegro, said Sekulović. In total 102 project proposals were submitted within this Call for Proposals to the address of the Joint Technical Secretariat in Prijepolje, like a result of strong mutual interest of non-profit organizations on both sides of the border. Ms.Sanda Šimić, Assistant Director of the Serbian European Integration Office, stressed the importance of the meeting in Podgorica as a final step of the process of evaluation of the project proposals and their recommendation for financing. “”These projects are very important for the territory covered by the Programme – municipalities have an opportunity to get in touch with EU funds and EU implementation rules and to raise the capacities through promoting EU values and EU integration, both on local and on the level of central governments. “”In this Call, the applicants were requested six times more money than was allocated. They also have mastered the complex process of preparing and submitting project proposals, which is commendable.”” said Ms Šimić.
“”
A Representative of the Delegation of the EU to Montenegro, Ms.Dawn Addie-Baird,Deputy Head of Operations, said that the meeting in Podgorica was the last stage of the 2st Call for Proposals. “”Under the previous CfP we financed the serious projects in tourism, education, development of children, capacity building of municipalities, and promotion of labor market and food production. For the 2nd CfP, EU is contributing more than 3 million Euros. The Joint Steering Committee has completed the process which started in August last year. In a few months the Contracts will be sign and activities will start. We are very pleased with the quick process of evaluation, the great interest of candidates, and a large number of applications, “”said Baird. The meeting was organized by the Joint Technical Secretariat for the Cross-border cooperation Serbia – Montenegro with the support of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and Serbian European Integration Office Government of the Republic of Serbia.
