The European Commission has adopted the IPARD III programme for Montenegro, worth €63 million, for the period 2021-2027. The benefits offered by the IPARD III programme were presented to the general public at a ceremony organised at the Patrimonio winery, which is an IPARD beneficiary in Bobija, Cetinje.

Montenegro is currently using the remaining available funds from the IPARD II programme, which can formally be used until the end of 2023, so the funds from the new IPARD III programme will be used after this deadline. In her address, EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa mentioned the EU’s more than 250 investments in agriculture through the IPARD II programme.

“I am very happy that today we celebrate the adoption of IPARD III. Agricultural production and agro-processing in Montenegro should be adapted and improved in order to be ready and competitive for the European market when the country becomes a full member state of the EU. Our IPARD programmes give you an additional chance to increase agricultural production and reduce the dependency on food imports. I encourage Montenegrin farmers and agro-processors to make full use of IPARD II and the upcoming IPARD III, as well as encouraging the Ministry to prepare the implementation of the new measures of IPARD III in a timely manner and show that it manages EU funds and requirements well,” said EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa.