On the Eve of the 35th Anniversary of the Ecological State: Montenegro’s Parliamentary Green Group Says Sustainable Development Is the Country’s Way Forward

Sustainable economic development, accompanied by developed environmental awareness, is the direction Montenegro should lead — that was the main message of the parliamentary Green Group session, held on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the country’s proclamation as an ecological state. During the debate, emphasis was also placed on the problem of the lack of education about the importance of environmental protection.

The Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Affairs, Damjan Ćulafiq, said economic development must always be harmonized with ecological sustainability, because only then are long-term goals achieved. He assessed that efficient implementation of major capital projects in ecology could stimulate economic activity while also bringing the benefit of environmental protection.

Marina Izgarević Pavićević of the Ministry of Spatial Planning said a large number of illegal buildings still need to be legalized and that this process will be tested through the planning document, with the participation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Danijela Darmanović of the Civic Alliance stressed that the non-governmental sector will always insist on ecological awareness and sustainable development, continuing with a critical but also partner-like approach.

Criticism also came from MPs: Boris Mugosha of the European Union said sustainable development means neither conservation nor devastation of space, pointing to the “classic betonization” of some coastal cities; Aleksandra Despotović of DPS repeated that the “Velje Brdo” project is not sustainable, as part of the construction belongs to a nature park zone; while Branka Marković of PES warned that ecological education has “stagnated” and that young people are educating themselves.

The session stressed that, despite different perspectives, there are fewer political differences on the importance of ecology. Žabljak was congratulated on Municipality and Liberation Day, with top officials conveying that the city, relying on natural potential, could be one of the strong drivers of the north’s development.

Source: RTCG — https://rtcg.me/vijesti/ekologija/883709/u-susret-35-godina-ekoloske-drzave-odrzivi-razvoj-i-ekoloska-svijest-put-za-crnu-goru.html