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Approximately, 140 potential applicants from the programme eligible countries of Croatia and Montenegro met at the University of Dubrovnik on Wednesday 03rd June, 2009 at the 2^nd Partner Search Forum held under the IPA Cross-Border Programme Croatia - Montenegro funded by the European Commission.

This event was organized by the programme's Joint Technical Secretariat (based in Kotor, Montenegro) and it's Antenna in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in close cooperation with the operating structures of the programme - the Ministry of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia and the Secretariat for European Integration of Montenegro. The participants were welcomed by Mr. Ivo Zhinich, Head of the Directorate for Integrated Regional Development of the Ministry of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia and Mrs. Ratka Sekulovich, Deputy Head of the Secretariat for European Integration of Montenegro. Welcome speeches were also given by Mr. Ivo Karamatich, Member of the Joint Monitoring Committee of the programme and M. Bozo Vodopija, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia in Montenegro. Afterwards, the programme partnership principles and the content of the Guidelines for Applicants and the Application Package were briefly presented to the participants.

The main part of the Forum was initiation of 3 thematic workshops according to the specific programme measures, on the following aspects: (i) protection of the environment, (ii) tourism and culture, and (iii) local initiatives - small cross-border projects. Representatives from municipalities, non-governmental organizations, public services, educational and other institutions exchanged their project ideas and/ or contacts, with an aim to establish future partnerships for joint projects before the expected launching of the first Call for Proposals. Many of them already managed to identify their partners, which was the primary goal of the forum. During the final plenary session, several technical questions were raised regarding the programme and the project proposal preparation process. Such questions were answered by the responsible representatives present from the JTS and the two Operating Structures.

1. List of participants

2. Press release