The European Union will allocate an additional EU 112.6 million to Montenegro for infrastructure projects within the so-called 9th call for investment co-financing.
This was officially confirmed at the meeting of the Strategic and Operational Committee of the Western Balkans Investment Framework, which was held today in Brussels, and where Montenegro was represented by the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, with her associates.
“Thanks to the additional funds and continued support we have from the European Union, we now have the opportunity to modernize the railway, increase the speed of transit traffic, improve the level of services, and facilitate the international flow of goods and passenger transport. Such investments will provide concrete benefits and directly affect the quality of life of our fellow citizens, as well as tourists who use the train as a means of transportation,” said Minister Gorčević.
The minister added that, by providing additional funds in given current geopolitical events, the European Union confirmed that it appreciates Montenegro’s commitment and its 100% compliance with the EU’s foreign and security policy,.
Gorčević emphasized that Montenegro highly appreciates the additional support of the EU through the new Growth Plan and expressed her belief that it will be an effective mechanism for initiating reforms, which are needed to get the accession process back on track and improve the quality of everyday life for citizens.
“We hope that the Growth Plan will bring us support for specific infrastructure projects, by key EU policies in this area. Montenegro, with the clear commitment of the new Government, is ready to be a credible partner when it comes to planning and implementing infrastructure projects, fully following the logic of the economic feasibility of projects, but also EU rules on public procurement, state aid, the environment, and other important areas. for the successful development of infrastructure”, the minister added.
Gorčević pointed out that, to prepare the Reform Agenda, the Government of Montenegro identified and formulated reform measures related to the business environment and the development of the private sector, the digital and energy/green transition, the development of human capital, as well as reforms in the area of rule of law that are a priority for accelerating the EU accession process.