Strategic Moves - Regional Environmental Center for Central and ...

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE) and the Ministry
of Transport and Communications (MTC) to the Ministry of Environment
and Physical Planning (MEPP).
The water strategy and respective river basin management plans must be put in
place as an important prerequisite for the planning and further reform of existing
institutions, as well as for the creation of new institutions (e.g. river basin management
bodies). A national strategy on water management is currently being developed
and is due to be completed by the middle of 2010. Transposition efforts
need to be stepped up. No progress has as yet been achieved in applying the polluter
pays principle (EC SEC [2009]1335).
Amendments to the Waste Management Law have been enacted, including
provisions on sanctions and on the level of fines (EC SEC [2009] 1335). The most
important regulation to have been put into effect recently is the Ordinance on the
Landfilling of Waste, which regulates disposal standards. With the enforcement
of this regulation, the gradual closure of non-compliant landfills is foreseen, accompanied
by the provision of additional landfill capacity through the construction
of regional sanitary landfills.
Sub-laws on hazardous waste management (OGRM No. 15/2008) have been
adopted. One obstacle to the implementation of these regulations is the absence of
a suitable institutional structure, even though it is required by the Law on Waste
Management. Another area that has recently been covered by secondary legislation
is the handling of healthcare waste (OGRM No. 146/2007).
The National Waste Management Strategy (2008–2020), adopted in April
2008, represents the basis for the preparation and implementation of an integrated
and cost-effective waste management system.
In Montenegro, activities have been carried out since May 2006 in relation to
the ratification of international conventions in the environmental sector. The process
of harmonising national laws with the relevant EU directives was given additional
emphasis after November 2007 and a set of new laws was adopted, for example on
EIA, SEA, air quality, waste management, water management and industrial pollution
control. Harmonisation in these areas is continuing through the adoption of
secondary legislation, and particular attention will be dedicated to areas where harmonisation
remains at a low level. The Law on Environment was adopted in July
2008 and was followed by the establishment of the Environmental Protection
Agency. The National Programme for Integration into the EU for 2008 to 2012
has been adopted. It includes a chapter on the environment (covering issues such as
horizontal legislation, air quality and climate change, waste management, water
management etc.). The government adopted a national environmental policy setting
out national priorities and addressing cross-cutting issues, such as the need to bring
gradually all environmental protection issues together under a single ministry. According
to the EC progress report, Montenegro has made some progress on legislative
alignment with European standards (EC SEC [2009] 1336).
The Law on Waters regulates the legal status and integrated management of waters,
shore land and water-related facilities. Funds for financing water management
operations will be provided in accordance with the Law on the Financing of Waters,
C H A P T E R 5
N AT I O N A L S T R AT E G I C A N D I N S T I T U T I O N A L F R A M E W O R K
S T R AT E G I C M O V E S 105