PODGORICA – European Union will allocate 270,5 million EUR for projects in Montenegro in the period from 2014 to 2020, said Chief of EU Delegation in Podgorica Aivo Orav, CdM reports.

He said to MINA Business that EU is the biggest international donor in Montenegro.

“For the period from 2007 to 2013 EU allocated 165 million EUR to Montenegro, and until 2020 it will allocate 270,5 million EUR”, Orav said.

He said that additional resources are allocated through IPA, IPARD, and similar programs.

“All projects funded by EU have a goal to help the country in its accession process, and are directed towards a better life standard for Montenegrin citizens”, Orav said.

He said that a concrete example of EU support is the modernization of railway Bar – Vrbnica, which decreased the traveling time and increased the safety on Montenegrin part of railway Bar – Belgrade.

“Another example is establishment of the Institute for Blood Transfusion in Podgorica”, Orav added.

According to him, there are many similar examples that can be seen in Montenegro in different areas, including rule of law and public administration, agriculture, environment and support to civic society.

Speaking of the most important projects that are to be implemented this year, Orav said that two agreements were signed a few days ago.

“There is an EU grant worth 20 million EUR, with an additional credit of 20 million EUR, that is allocated to the national railway traffic operator and rehabilitation of national railway infrastructure network”, Orav said.

European Investment Bank EIB has provided a credit of 100 million EUR for IRF, that EU guaranteed for.

“These agreements should ensure improvement of key facilities such as bridges, tunnels, safety objects and signalization”, Orav said.

Orav said there were several instruments for monitoring implementation of EU funded projects.

“Our obligation is to ensure that EU citizens’ money is used in the best way possible. There are strict measures of control, and there are ways to return the funds that were not spent in accordance with the rules”, Orav said.

He said that they had been pleased with the implementation of projects so far, which was confirmed by European Auditing Court, the highest body of control.