Montenegro's Environment Minister Addresses Key Ecological Challenges and Initiatives
Montenegro's Ecology Minister Damjan Culafic highlighted critical environmental projects and EU integration hurdles, emphasizing the need for over €3bn in investments for Chapter 27 negotiations. Key initiatives include a €40m World Bank loan for waste management improvements and ongoing efforts to monitor pollution and biodiversity protection.
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Montenegro's Minister of Ecology, Damjan Culafic, outlined significant environmental challenges including a €3bn investment requirement for EU Chapter 27 compliance. The government is addressing waste management through a €40m World Bank loan, focusing on a regional waste treatment center in Niksic and site cleanup at the former KAP aluminium plant, with work projected to start in autumn and conclude in three years.
Culafic confirmed that the implementation of plastic bag fees has yielded €1.8m by March 2026 and reduced usage significantly. He also discussed the ongoing construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Botun, which is 20% complete and set for mid-2028 completion.
Monitoring efforts are in place for pollution issues, including the Bojana River's contamination from Albania, and illegal gravel extraction is being targeted with stricter enforcement. The air quality strategy for 2026-2029 is under preparation, indicating ongoing commitment to environmental protection.
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