Opening Ceremony organised on the occasion of launching the Second Call for Proposals within the Cross – border Programme Serbia – Montenegro

The Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro and European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, launched the Second Call for Proposals (2nd CfP) within the Cross - border Programme Serbia - Montenegro (the Programme) on August 15, 2011. Joint Technical Secretariat for the Programme, supported by Programme's Operating Structures - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro and European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, on the occasion of an opening of the 2nd CfP, organized Opening Ceremony, in hotel Lipka in Kolasin, Montenegro, on September 06, 2011. The event had a purpose of informing the most important stakeholders and general public about launching the Second Call for Proposals under the Programme. The attendees were greeted by introductory speeches held by: mr. Dejan Brajusković, the major of Kolasin;in, ms. Elizabetta Sartorel from the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia and mr.Enrique Aguado Asenjo, from the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and ms.Tijana Ljiljanić and, ms. Kristina Asković, representatives of the Operating Structures.The event was graced by presence of Serbian Ambassador to Montenegro, His Excellency mr. Zoran Lutovac. Around 50 participants, among which were mayors of towns and municipalities from the Programme area, other representatives of Local authorities, Development agencies, Non-governmental organizations, International organizations and other partners first had the opportunity to hear information about the cross-border cooperation programmes that have been implemented in Montenegro and in the Republic of Serbia during last 5 years and about the achievements made by two countries. Mr.Darko Čukuranović, Coordinator of the Programme, European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, presented general facts about the Cross-border Programme Serbia - Montenegro. Details on the Second Call for Proposals were presented by mr. Denis Slatina, Head of Joint Technical Secretariat for the Programme. Conclusion of the event is that the total amount of nearly 3.4 million EUR, which consist of funds allocated for this Programme for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, that is available for the Second Call for Proposals to improve cooperation between non-profit organisations in the programme area in Serbia and Montenegro will serve not only to promote european integration process in the region, improve local and regional socio-economic development with emphasis on development of tourism, small and medium enterprizes and environmental protection but also to build capacities for consumption of EU's structural funds in the future.