EU Project 'Cross-Border Fire Protection' Presented

A press conference was held today at the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, presenting the project “Cross-Border Fire Protection”, funded by the European Union under the Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.

Those present were addressed by representatives of the project partners: Assistant Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Samir Agić, General Director of the Directorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro Mirsad Mulić, General Director of INZA Institute for Fire and Explosion Protection Edin Garaplija, and Executive Director of FORS Montenegro Veselin Šturanović.

Representatives of the partner institutions and organisations emphasised that the project is significant for the continuation of good cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro in the development of the protection and rescue systems of the two countries, as such projects contribute to the harmonisation of standards that follow the highest quality achievements in strengthening the human and technical capacities of institutions and services dealing with fire protection.

The main project activities include the procurement of fire protection and rescue equipment, training and drills for rescuers and other participants in the protection and rescue system, cross-border demonstration exercises, a public information campaign on fire hazards, the development of a joint cross-border fire protection plan, etc.

The project, whose implementation began on 18 December 2014, lasts 24 months and covers 14 municipalities, including nine municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar, Jablanica, Konjic, Ravno, Stolac, Čajniče, Gacko, Bileća and Trebinje) and five municipalities from Montenegro (Nikšić, Žabljak, Plužine, Pljevlja, Šavnik). The value of the project for Bosnia and Herzegovina is 198,454 euros, of which the European Union finances 84.40 percent or 167,504 euros, while the remaining 15.6 percent is the contribution of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the INZA Institute. The value of the project for Montenegro is 229,159 euros, of which the European Union finances 84.99 percent or 194,762 euros.