The Ministry of European Affairs, with the support of the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme, marked Interreg Cooperation Day in the Grebaje Valley in Gusinje. The event was attended by representatives of institutions, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, local communities and organisations, and beneficiaries of Interreg projects.
This year’s event focused on connecting communities in border areas, the development potential of the north, nature protection and safety in mountainous areas.
Bojana Bošković, State Secretary at the Ministry of European Affairs; Liselotte Isaksson, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro; and Sanel Balić, President of the Municipality of Gusinje, gave the opening remarks.
State Secretary Bojana Bošković stressed that the value of Interreg cooperation is measured not only by the number of projects and activities, but above all by its ability to open up new development opportunities for people and local communities. She particularly highlighted the importance of development that creates opportunities while preserving natural assets, as well as the need to view the north of Montenegro as a development opportunity and borders as spaces for cooperation and connectivity.
Liselotte Isaksson particularly highlighted the significance of marking Interreg Cooperation Day in the Grebaje Valley, an area that illustrates how closely border communities are connected by shared natural, development and social challenges. She noted that European integration is much more than administrative and legal procedures, as its foundation lies in people’s commitment and the tangible benefits European cooperation brings to local communities.
President of the Municipality of Gusinje Sanel Balić expressed his satisfaction that Gusinje was hosting the event and thanked the friends of the Prokletije Mountains who contribute to the area’s development and promotion. He said that Gusinje was committed to cooperation with institutions and partners, which he sees as an opportunity to make fuller use of the area’s development potential and create conditions for people to build their future in the region.
Two panel discussions were also held as part of the event.
Interreg Cooperation Day is marked every September to promote the results of cross-border, transnational and interregional projects implemented by institutions and organisations across Europe with the support of European Union funds.
The event in Grebaje provided an opportunity to mark the 15th anniversary of this initiative and was held with the financial support of the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme.
Article and photo source: ME4EU