Approaching its first anniversary of independence, Montenegro hopes to put fresh investment to good use without destroying its many scenic marvels
By Dejan Lucic
In spring 2007, Montenegrins will celebrate their one-year anniversary of declaring independence from Serbia. Though a small nation geographically (13,812 sqm), Montenegro offers a clear-blue sea, fast-running rivers, high mountains, dazzling countryside and a cultural mix that is truly unforgettable.
Despite the country's abundance of wild beauty, Montenegro is dealing with an assortment of environmental and ecological problems, such as pollution from the Podgorica Aluminium Plant, wilderness dumping, illegal construction and, most significantly, energy lobbies active in trying to submerge the Tara River Canyon.
With investment opportunities pouring into world's youngest country, Montenegro's government must balance a demand for fresh money with the need to create necessary infrastructure for sustainable development and tourism.
Darko Pajovic, a member of both the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) and World Conservation Union (IUCN), said that Montenegro will need to greatly modify its environmental regulations if it hopes to one day join the European Union.
Pajovic explained that this would basically entail bringing Montenegrin environmental law into compliance with European rules, building eco founds, signing pollution agreements, regulating and monitoring wastewater treatment and disposal, and actually implementing enacted legislation.
Montenegrin Minister of Tourism and Environment Protection Predrag Nenezic said that the main objectives of the of the 'Montenegro as an Ecological State' project are to bring about integrated development at all levels, and to involve as many social, economic, technological and natural resources as possible.