May 27, 2018 - The third session of the Steering Committee for Monitoring the Review and Implementation of the National Strategy for the Transposition, Implementation and Application of the European Union Legal Framework in the Field of Environment and Climate Change with the Action Plan for 2016-2020 was held on May 24th on the premises of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
In July 2016, the Government of Montenegro adopted the National Strategy for the Transposition, Implementation, and Application of the European Union acquis in the field of environment and climate change with the Action Plan for 2016-2020. The Action Plan strategy has been prepared and structured to respond to the initial benchmark requirements for the Chapter 27 - Environment and climate change. Chapter 27 includes ten sub-components: Horizontal Legislation, Air Quality, Waste Management, Water Quality, Nature Conservation, Industrial Pollution, Chemicals, Noise, Civil Protection and Climate Change, which are all covered by the Strategy.
The National Strategy defines the strategic approach of Montenegro to the process harmonization with the EU for Chapter 27 for all ten sub-chapters of this chapter as well as the economic and financial analysis containing an estimate of the total cost of alignment, the limits of financial affordability and the necessary financial resources. The Action Plan provides an overview of all plans regarding the transposition and implementation of the European Union acquis, institutions that are in charge of their application, the planned deadline for achieving the goals, including the necessary technical support, as well as plans for strengthening the administrative capacity.
The primary focus of third session which was held earlier this week, was to present the Draft of the Revised Action Plan. The Draft of the Revised Action Plan provides a review of the key results achieved in the previous period, as well as deadlines for remaining obligations related to the transposition process and the implementation of the EU acquis for all ten sub-areas.
The meeting concluded that during the preparation of the next Report on the Reliance of Commitments following the Strategy of the Action Plan, additional efforts should be made to achieve a higher level of realization, especially given the fact that it will also influence the process of opening negotiations for Chapter 27.
The fulfillment of all deadlines for remaining obligations aims to recognize progress in the process of reporting to the European Commission through a high level of realization, which ultimately leads to the opening of Chapter 27 and the achievement of the full membership of Montenegro in the European Union.
