EU allocates 21.3 mln euro to boost Montenegro's reforms in accession process

“The funds will focus on key reform areas, including strengthening of the justice system and public administration, better protection of the environment, and rural development”, the European Commission said in a press release.

The funds are also aimed to help align Montenegrin laws to EU standards in food safety, veterinary and phyto-sanitary standards, competition and free movement of services.

"Over the last years Montenegro has made good progress on its EU path and as a result we have opened accession negotiations in June. These new funds will help the country to move forward on the necessary reforms, bringing closer the prospect of EU membership and producing concrete results and new opportunities for Montenegrin citizens," enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele said in the statement.

The funding comes under a two-year programme for Montenegro of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). Since 2007, the EU has provided over 150 million euro of pre-accession assistance to Montenegro.

($=0.7512 euro)