The cross-border cooperation programme between Serbia (RS) and Montenegro (ME) will be implemented under the framework of the 2021-2027 Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) with a view to promoting good neighbourly relations, fostering Union integration and promoting socio-economic development through joint local and regional initiatives.
The legal basis for drafting of the cross-border programme4: Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III).
By this instrument EU continues to provide a legal framework for providing financial assistance to the candidate and potential candidate countries in their efforts to encourage political, economic and institutional reforms with the final goal of full membership in the European Union.
The cross-border cooperation programme Serbia – Montenegro 2021-2027 is the third generation of the cross-border cooperation programmes between the two countries and is supported by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance of the European Union. It has incorporated the lessons learnt under the implementation of the 2014-2020 cross-border cooperation programme with the same participating countries to further strengthen and extend the scope of cooperation between beneficiaries. The programme was designed on the major findings of the situation and SWOT analyses.
The total IPA financial envelope available for the programme is EUR 8 400 000.
