Radunović: Air quality is not only an environmental protection issue, but also a matter of public health

A workshop titled “Implementation of the Legislative Framework for Air Protection” was held at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS) as part of an IPA project. Its aim was to present the new obligations and responsibilities of the relevant institutions and exchange views on their coordination, data sharing, and implementation of procedures established by laws and bylaws. Opening the workshop, Lana Radunović, Director of the Directorate for Ecology at MERS, stressed that air quality is not only an environmental protection issue, but above all a matter of public health, quality of life, and responsibility toward future generations. “That is why it is important that the system we are building be based on reliable measurements and data, clearly defined responsibilities, timely public information, and effective measures when pollution levels increase,” Radunović said. She noted that fulfilling the obligations under negotiating Chapter 27—Environment and Climate Change—requires alignment with modern European Union standards, as well as building the capacity for their full implementation. “That is precisely why today we want to focus on practical issues: the division of responsibilities among institutions, the organization of monitoring, data quality and exchange, air quality assessment, measure planning, and reporting.” She thanked everyone who contributed to preparing and organizing the workshop, particularly the IPA project supporting Montenegro in fulfilling its Chapter 27 obligations, expert Sandra Krmpotić, and colleagues from the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro and the Centre for Ecotoxicological Testing (CETI) for their professional support and continued cooperation.