PODGORICA – The Commissioner Johannes Hahn opened together with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković, the Ministerial meeting on Clean Energy Transition and will announce significant additional financial support in the area of energy efficiency today in Podgorica.
In his speech, Hahn said that he is here to reinforce commitment to align as swiftly as possible with the EU’s energy and climate policies, in line with the Paris agreement. “This includes the EU’s 2030 targets to reduce energy consumption by 32.5%, boost the share of renewables to at least 32% of energy consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40%”, said Hahn.
He emphasized that “these targets will help governments transition to clean energy and increase investment, growth and jobs in the process” and it will be the extension of the EU Energy Union to the Western Balkans, a goal that is in line with Sofia Declaration.
Hahn also announced that EU will be disbursing further 2 million euro of support through a regional programme dedicated to climate change with the intention of helping the countries to define three targets for 2030 within their National Energy and Climate Plans.
“Our energy agenda needs to be at the heart of your growth agenda, as it is the case for European Union as well. You can count on our support in this important objective”, concluded Hahn.
During his two-day visit Commissioner Hahn is also meeting with President Đukanović, Speaker of the Parliament Brajović, Prime Minister Marković, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Justice Pažin as well as opposition party leaders. The Commissioner is also meeting with media representatives.