33. Recalls that more than 25 % of Europe's biodiversity is located in the Western Balkans region; also recalls that the many small and large rivers and lakes – the largest being the Morača river and Lake Skadar – host many rare species; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to reconsider plans to build large-scale hydropower plants and to mainly rely on energy provided by such sources; recalls the need to draft a national energy strategy, which takes into account the many different renewable energy sources, including hydropower on a small scale; recalls the need to also respect the natural heritage enshrined in the constitution, whic ...[+++]h refers to Montenegro as an ecological state and the fact that natural heritage and tourism are two important pillars of the Montenegrin economy; urges the Montenegrin authorities to always conduct environmental and social impact assessments prior to any decision on the construction of new plants, in line with EU and international standards such as the Aarhus and Espoo conventions; urges the Montenegrin authorities further to engage in extensive and transparent public consultation processes, involving relevant civil society organisations when it comes to the planning of future hydropower plant projects, and to make relevant decisions, expert opinions and other documentation public;

33. Recalls that more than 25 % of Europe's biodiversity is located in the Western Balkans region; also recalls that the many small and large rivers and lakes – the largest being the Morača river and Lake Skadar – host many rare species; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to reconsider plans to build large-scale hydropower plants and to mainly rely on energy provided by such sources; recalls the need to draft a national energy strategy, which takes into account the many different renewable energy sources, including hydropower on a small scale; recalls the need to also respect the natural heritage enshrined in the constitution, whic ...[+++]h refers to Montenegro as an ecological state and the fact that natural heritage and tourism are two important pillars of the Montenegrin economy; urges the Montenegrin authorities to always conduct environmental and social impact assessments prior to any decision on the construction of new plants, in line with EU and international standards such as the Aarhus and Espoo conventions; urges the Montenegrin authorities further to engage in extensive and transparent public consultation processes, involving relevant civil society organisations when it comes to the planning of future hydropower plant projects, and to make relevant decisions, expert opinions and other documentation public;

33. Recalls that more than 25 % of Europe’s biodiversity is located in the Western Balkans region; also recalls that the many small and large rivers and lakes – the largest being the Morača river and Lake Skadar – host many rare species; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to reconsider plans to build large-scale hydropower plants and to mainly rely on energy provided by such sources; recalls the need to draft a national energy strategy, which takes into account the many different renewable energy sources, including hydropower on a small scale; recalls the need to also respect the natural heritage enshrined in the constitution, whic ...[+++]h refers to Montenegro as an ecological state and the fact that natural heritage and tourism are two important pillars of the Montenegrin economy; urges the Montenegrin authorities to always conduct environmental and social impact assessments prior to any decision on the construction of new plants, in line with EU and international standards such as the Aarhus and Espoo conventions; urges the Montenegrin authorities further to engage in extensive and transparent public consultation processes, involving relevant civil society organisations when it comes to the planning of future hydropower plant projects, and to make relevant decisions, expert opinions and other documentation public;

This so-called RECOM initiative is supported by the Presidents of Croatia and Serbia, by the Montenegrin parliament and religious communities.

26. Urges the Montenegrin authorities to coordinate even more efficiently Montenegro's involvement in Community programmes, particularly in the field of education and training; points out that such programmes may be an effective means of enhancing the quality of the education and training on offer and of providing new opportunities for study, including periods abroad, to young people in Montenegro; considers that thought should be given, in conjunction with the Commission, to how best to promote twinning and partnership arrangements between Montenegrin establishments and their counterparts in EU Member States; considers that visa libe ...[+++]ralisation would facilitate the involvement of Montenegrins in Community programmes;

26. Urges the Montenegrin authorities to coordinate even more efficiently Montenegro's involvement in Community programmes, particularly in the education and training field; points out that such programmes may be an effective means of enhancing the quality of the education and training on offer and of providing new study opportunities, including periods abroad, to young people in Montenegro; considers that thought should be given, in conjunction with the Commission, to how best to promote twinning and partnership arrangements between Montenegrin establishments and their counterparts in EU Member States; considers that visa liberalisat ...[+++]ion would make the involvement of Montenegrins in Community programmes easier;