EU Environmental approximation in the WB and Turkey- ETNAR Conference Accession process in WB and civil society-Montenegro Nataša Kovačević NGO Green Home Palic, September 24 th to 26 th 2013

Chronology DateEvent 15 October 2007Montenegro signs the Stabilisation and Association Agreement 15 December 2008Formal application for membership submitted 12 April 2010Montenegro submits answers to the Commission's Questionnaire 9 November 2010 European Commission replies to the answers of the Questionnaire with a positive opinion (Avis) 17 December 2010Montenegro receives official candidate status 12 October 2011Commission recommends starting of negotiations 26 March 2012Screening started 26 June 2012 European Council sets a target date of 29 June for the beginning of accession negotiations 29 June 2012Accession negotiations begin with the screening process 4 February 2013Explanatory screening for chapter 27 – environment 18 March 2013Bilateral screening for chapter 27 PendingReport on harmonization with EU acquis with measures

Negotiation structure The Montenegrin Government adopted the Decision on establishing a negotiating structure in February The Decision defined six main structures for the negotiation process: Collegiums, Negotiating Team, State Delegation for Negotiations on the Accession of Montenegro to the EU, working groups for negotiating chapters, Office of the Chief Negotiator and the Secretariat of the Negotiating Team. It was defined that the structures will consist mainly of state officials, and the inclusion of CSO members in the negotiation structures was not directly foreseen by the Decision. Relations with Parliament cleared, but remains undefined relation among parliement and CSOs.

participation at experience echange meetings (Lithuania, Croatia, Hungary, Romania and spec thematic issues i.e. Industrial emmisions, Natura 2000 etc.) meetings with EU representatives: – EC, Parliament study visits (P2P study visits, projects and nets related visits) – DEU to Montenegro (consultative meetings on progress reports, other) – Desk officer for Montenegro (in Montenegro and Brussels) RENA (Regional Environmental Network for Accession)/ECRAN - assists the beneficiary countries in exchange of information and experience related to preparation for accession ( two ways of participation (national NGO representative and through Environmental Forum ( – aim to support NGOs in their active and constructive role in the enlargement process. CSOs in preparations for for opening chapter 27

National Convention for EU integration project ( – 2014) – Working group IV – Protection of the environment Conflicts and compromises between economy and ecology in the construction of Hydropower Plants in Montenegro Establishing Natura 2000 ecological network Possible derogation with regards to the implementation of the limit values for the emission of air pollutants Chemicals use expert knowlede of other organisations International organisations IUCN, Euronatur, Birdlife, WWF, Transparency international, CEEWEB, SEE Change net and other networks and NGOs Internal training on role of NGOs in accession negotiation process CSOs in preparations for opening chapter 27

At the beginning of December 2012, the Chief Negotiator's Office invited CSOs to propose representatives for participation in the working group 27. Government of Montenegro adopted Decision for electing 60 WG members out of 4 NGOs: – NGO North Land – subgroup water quality and climate change – NGO PRONA – subgroup waste management and nature protection – NGO Zeleno Srce – subgroup waste management – NGO Green Home – subgroup nature protection and water quality Explanatory screening 4-8 th February 2013 Bilateral screening nd March working group meetings Members of the working groups representing NGOs were not present at explanatory and bilateral screening in Brussels which brings up a concern of possible future marginalization of civil society in the negotiation process. CSOs in preparations for for opening chapter 27

CSOs in working groups environmental NGOs supportive in the process, not very active – different levels of knowledge and human capacities, – good and active in specific issues or project oriented issues no real communication strategy or networking for harmonizing NGOs engagement in working group restricted documents and links sharing for screening and Privacy Statement according to the Rules of Procedure, NGO representatives are full members of working groups, with the role to contribute and not to monitor the process, so they should not speak in public about the work of the working groups.

Thank You for attention! NGO Green Home Address: Radosava Burica 31, Podgorica, Montenegro Phone/Fax: