ECENA Exchange Programme First Plenary Meeting 19-20 January, 2006 Zagreb, Croatia

1. ECENA Exchange ProgrammeFirst Plenary Meeting19-20 January, 2006Zagreb, Croatia Update on strengthening the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental legislation according to the recommendations from the EC 2005 Report in the Republic of Montenegro Prepared by Biljana Djurovic, ECENA National Coordinator Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning

2. The European Partnership with Serbia and Montenegro • Means to materialise the European perspective of West Balkan countries within the framework of the SAP • The first Partnership with S&M was adopted by the European Council on 14 June 2004 • It lists short- and medium-term priorities that should be carried out • The Commission monitors the progress through the Progress Reports • The EP priorities form the basis for programming the assistance from EU funds

3. The First European Partnership prioritiesEnvironment Short-term priorities (1-2 years) • Adoption of the strategy on waste water and solid waste with a view to approximating with EU acquis Medium-term priorities (3-4 years) • Adopt and implement legislation on environmental impact assessment in line with the EU acquis • Develop an overall environmental strategy (waste water, solid waste, air) with a view to adopt environmental protection framework legislation approximating with EU acquis • Set up an Environmental Protection Agency

4. Action plan for Implementation of European Partnership Recommendations Adopted by the Government in December 2004 with • Responsible authority/institution, • Specified measures/activities, • Planned • Realized • Budget allocation if required by a certain measure, • Timetable

5. Monitoring The implementation of the Action plan is regularly examined by the: • Government of Montenegro, through the Republic Commission for the Coordination of the Process of Accession to the EU (monthly progress reports by the responsible authorities) • European Commission (quarterly reports by the Government of Montenegro) • Enhanced Permanent Dialogue Meetings • EC Annual Progress Report for 2005

6. Realization of the measures contained in the Action Plan Adopted (2004-2005) General strategies:Montenegro’s EU Integration Network (2004); The Communication Strategy for informing the public on Montenegro’s association with EU (2005); Feasibility Study approved (2005); Economic Reform Agenda 2003-2007,revision (2005); Millennium Development Goals Report (2005), Energy Community Treaty (2005) Sectoral strategies: National Policy on Waste Management (2004); National Waste Management Strategy (2004); Feasibility study for wastewater treatment in the coastal region (2004) and in the central and northern region (2005); National Energy policy (2005); National Energy Efficiency Strategy (2005)

7. Realization of the measures contained in the Action Plan Legislation: Law on Spatial Plan and Development (2004) Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2005) Law on Strategic Impact Assessment (2005) Law on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (2005) Law on Waste Management (2005) Law on Access to Information (2005) (OJ of Montenegro, No. 80/2005)

8. Planned Activities in line with mid-term priorities Forthcoming (2006 – 2007) Strategies:Spatial plan of Montenegro up to 2020; National Sustainable Development Strategy; Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy; Biodiversity Strategy; Climate Change Strategy; Air Quality Strategy; Transport Strategy; Action plan for the implementation of Energy Efficiency Strategy; General Environmental Investment Plan; Implementing strategy and Institutional Capacity building Legislation: Amendments to the Environment Law, Approximation to European standards in environmental noise, ambient air quality, radioactivity, environmental fund, water, chemicals, nature protection, genetically modified organisms; Drafting of secondary legislation, Establishment of Environmental Protection Agency and Project Implementation Unit, Laws on ratification of Kyoto Protocol, Bern Convention, Barcelona Convention and desertification Convention

9. EC 2005 Progress report, November 2005 European Partnership: Overall Assessment “Montenegro has made some good progress in implementing the EP`s short-term priorities, and also started to address some of the medium-term ones. The implementation of the priorities has affected in some cases by lack of legislative developments and rather frequently by the lack of administrative capacity”

10. Institutional and administrative capacity improvements Ongoing projects: • Strengthening capacities of the Ministry to deal with problems of environmental management – to improve environmental management and effective implementation of EU standards • Support to the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning – Technical assistance to finalize and implement an institutional restructuring strategy within the Ministry, including support to the establishment of an EPA an development of its functions First Twinning program • Strengthening institutional capacity for European integration process –new project with the Governments of France and Slovenia which will start in 2006 and last 18 months

11. Regional and International cooperation • Bilateral cooperation (Albania, Italy, Finland, Austria, Japan, Holland) • Regional cooperation (REReP, Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, Central European Initiative, Mediterranean Action Plan • Cooperation with International Organizations (UNDP, UNEP, OSCE, GEF, World Bank, UNIDO, EPA, UNECE, EEA)

12. The second European Partnership priorities • Proposal launched by EC in November 2005 • Identifies new priorities for action in line with progress made by the country • Provides guidance for programming the financial assistance of the EC • Lists updated short- and medium-term priorities for the Country’s preparations for further integration with the EU

13. The second European Partnership priorities Short-term priorities • Continue approximating legislation to EU standards, notably environmental protection framework legislation • Implement and enforce adopted legislation • Develop an overall environmental protection strategy (water, waste, air) • Adopt the Land Use Plan • Adopt the Sustainable Development Strategy and sectoral strategies (integrated coastal zone management, biodiversity, climate change) • Strengthen administrative capacity

14. The second European Partnership priorities Medium-term priorities • Continue implementing and enforcing legislation approximated to EU legislation. Continue to implement legislation on environmental impact assessment • Ratify and start implementation of the Kyoto protocol • Ensure a viable financial framework for the implementation of a mid to long-term environmental protection policy • Continue approximating legislation to EU legislation and standards, notably legislation on air protection, water and waste • Begin implementing the Land Use Plan, overall environmental protection strategy, the Sustainable Development Strategy and sectoral strategies • Continue strengthening the administrative capacity of line ministries and bodies in charge of environmental planning, permitting, inspecting and monitoring, as well as project management

15. New Action Plan In order to prepare for further integration with the EU, the Ministry for International Economic Relations and European Integration, in cooperation with the Commission for Coordination of the process of Accession to the EU, develops a new Action plan with a timetable and specific measures to address the priorities of this European Partnership.

16. Thank you for your attention!