Montenegro’s State Secretary for European Integration and National IPA Coordinator, Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic and Albanian European Integration Minister Klajda Gjosha opened in Shkoder the presentation of the contracted projects within the third call for the IPA Cross-border Programme Albania – Montenegro.
The Cross-border Programme aims to promote good neighbourly relations and cooperation between people, communities and institutions, with a view to encouraging tourism, environmental protection and promotion of social cohesion.
Within the third call for submitting proposals, seven projects were selected aiming to upgrade cooperation and improve socio-economic situation of the citizens. The projects concentrate on inclusive tourism management in the border zone, support for sustainable environmental development, social cohesion improvement, economic development with a focus on tourism, strengthening women’s entrepreneurship, environmental preservation of the Cijevna river, and cultural and touristic offer of Shkoder and Podgorica with special emphasis on the Skadar Lake.
Ambassador Pejović underlined the projects are significant in terms of promoting local craft products and cultural heritage aimed at enhancing economic and tourism development. He also noted that previous projects have contributed to better understanding between the two countries by establishing links of a common cultural heritage, voicing belief the new projects’ implementation will contribute to boosting cooperation and improving the standard of living of the citizens.
