At the presentation of project “Further implementation of the National Environmental Approximation Strategy – EAS” Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Oskar Benedikt said that the project was designed to strengthen Serbia’s institutional capacity for the development of its negotiating position in that area. The project is funded by the EU to the tune of EUR1.6 million.
“Chapter 27, dealing with environment, is the most complex chapter in terms of the number of directives and accounts for a third of the overall European legislation. It is both the most expensive chapter, as it requires huge investments, and the most important one, as it affects the quality of life of all citizens by affecting the quality of water, air and soil. The extent to which this chapters affects our lives, health, our future and development projects is incomparable to any other,” Benedikt said at the presentation of the EU-funded project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection.
The project will be focused on assisting the line Ministry and Negotiating Group 27 in strengthening institutions and strategic planning within the chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change.
“The environment is a demanding area both financially and administratively, and requires continuous coordination and communication among all relevant institutions. This is confirmed by the fact that the approximation of environment takes EUR10 billion – nearly one billion of which needs to be invested in waste management, and some seven billion euros in water supply, sewerage and waste water treatment,” said the State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Stana Bozovic.
According to her, the programme will help Serbia to further harmonise its legislation with EU acquis in the area of environment by strengthening the institutions, and improving the infrastructure for and investment planning of new projects in this field.
The project “Further implementation of the National Environment Approximation Strategy“ is running until October 2018 and includes activities aimed at strengthening of institutions in charge of law enforcement in the area of environment, building capacity for the implementation of EU directives which require considerable funding (particularly in the area of water and waste) and strengthening capacity for investment and financial planning of projects in the area of environment.
Slovenia’s experience of chapter 27 was also shared at the conference, as well as the experience of Macedonia regarding the costs and benefits of the promotion of sustainable investment and fulfilment of EU requirements in water sector.
