Minister Ćulafić with U.S. Congress Delegation in Žabljak: Montenegro Continues Economic Progress Based on Sustainability and Environmental Protection Principles

Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development Damjan Ćulafić met with a delegation of the United States Congress in Žabljak as part of the Montenegro–United States Parliamentary Exchange Program. The meeting was also attended by Žabljak Mayor Radoš Žugić, Deputy Mayor Darko Šljivančanin, President of the Žabljak Municipal Assembly Ivan Popović and Durmitor National Park Director Pero Popović. The minister stated that, since that time, five national parks have been established in Montenegro, and that the country can take pride in the fact that more than 15 percent of its territory is now protected. Speaking about European integration, he noted that Montenegro is on the threshold of completing the EU accession process and that the provisional closure of Chapter 27 is expected by the end of the year. The minister said he was particularly pleased that the delegation visited Montenegro while preparations are under way for a special cooperation agreement with the State of Maine, to be signed by Montenegro’s national parks. He expressed his belief that this represents a special opportunity for Montenegro, and particularly its national parks, to apply principles also practiced in the United States, given that the first national park was established in that country.