(Podgorica, November 26th 2003)

Today, on the meeting of representatives of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), Country Office Serbia and Montenegro and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Montenegro, the Agreement on Technical and Program Cooperation was signed with the aim to identify a frame for future joint program design and implementation of two institutions.

Text of compiled Agreement was based on general principles of REC’s Mission to assist in solving environmental problems on local, national and regional level by offering consulting services and sustainable environmental solutions, as well as on the commitment of the Ministry to become a part of on-going processes of regional cooperation, in order to shape them and participate in their implementation. Necessity of coordination of activities for promoting values, protection and reconstruction of environment in Montenegro was also recognized, in lines with the Agenda for Economic Reforms endorsed by Montenegrin Government in March 2003.

Signatories of the Agreement, Deputy Minister Luka Mitrovic and Director of the REC Country Office Serbia and Montenegro Dr Radoje Lausevic, identified the following program areas as the basis of future cooperation: Capacity/Institutional Building, Environmental Law and Policy, Sustainable Environmental Development/Local Initiatives, Resource Management and Nature Protection, Waste and Hazardous Waste Management, Public Participation, Environmental Information and NGO Support.

The list of specific projects and activities will be defined in the further close communication and cooperation of the signatories of the Agreement (namely members of Working Groups delegated for this task), taking into account needs of the Ministry, role and capacities of the REC and requirements of the donor community.