During the official visit to the Institute of Marine Biology, the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro H.E. Oana Cristina Popa got introduced with all the activities that were realized within the thematic project "Food4Health", which is the most important infrastructure project of the Institute financed from the pre-accession funds of the European Union. With a total budget of over 570,000 EUR, all infrastructure works that were finalized were presented to the ambassador of EU with all details related to the construction of a new, modern multi-functional laboratory for the cultivation of micro-algae and oyster hatchery (Ostrea edulis). The Ambassador and her delegation were welcomed by Dr. Aleksandar Joksimović - Director of the Institute, Dr. Milica Mandić - Food4Health Project Manager and Dr. Mirko Đurović - Manager of Aquarium Boka.

The delegation, led by Ambassador Popa, was joined by US Ambassador H.E Judy Rising Reinke and ambassadors of several European countries: H.E. Gregor Presker, Ambassador of Slovenia, H.E Robert Weber, Ambassador of Germany, H.E. Christian Thimonier, Ambassador of France, H.E. Meglena Plugtschieva, Ambassador of Bulgaria, Mr. Radu Gorincioi, Deputy Head of EU Mission, Embassy of Romania, Mr. Vuk Vujnović, Press Center of the EU Delegation, Mr. Saša Palibrk, EU Info Center.

After the presentation of the realized activities, Ambassador Popa visited the new premises with the delegation and was convinced of the hard work and purposefully spent funds that will serve for scientific research in the field of marine aquaculture. The greatest contribution of the project will be achieved by the formation of oyster hatchery in laboratory conditions, which will consist of two parts - a part for growing microalgae and a part for conditioning the parental stock and production of young oysters. Part of the Institute building was upgraded in a total area of ​​about 260m2, which includes the formation of a modern, fully equipped "Food4Health" laboratory for innovative research in mariculture, training and transfer of knowledge and technology, food production, with all scientific, technical and technological capacity which will parry regional centers of similar activities.

The Head of the EU Delegation of the European Union expressed exceptional satisfaction with the results achieved by the Institute of Marine Biology with the realization of EU funds, especially in the field of protection of the marine ecosystem of the Montenegrin coast, which is a valuable resource of Montenegro.

Ambassador Popa stated: “In the Institute of Marine Biology, the EU is supporting important scientific research that aims to improve the production process and competitiveness of shellfish farming in Montenegro. Hopefully, this research will help create new jobs and important new business opportunities in the Montenegrin coast. We are also happy to support further development of the Kotor Aquarium, which is a welcome contribution to Montenegro’ tourism offer.

 Here in Kotor, like in many places across Montenegro, numerous initiatives are improving people’s lives in local communities. The EU will continue to support those efforts, which are an important driving force on Montenegro’s EU accession path”.