Montenegro has received €26.8 million in pre-financing under the Reform Agenda – part of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans – of which €12.5 million in favorable loans was transferred today to the state budget. An additional €14.3 million, in the form of grants and loans, will be directed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) to improve infrastructure across the country. This pre-financing payment represents 7% of the total financial support allocated to Montenegro under the EU Growth Plan.
The Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, stated that the Government had completed all the necessary steps to enable the first disbursement – including the adoption of the Growth Plan Agreement in Parliament and the conclusion of the loan agreement with the European Commission.
She explained that, from the total pre-financing amount, €14.3 million will be allocated to infrastructure projects in the energy sector through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, while the rest will be paid as direct budgetary support for implementing priorities from the Reform Agenda through the end of 2027. “The disbursement of the first tranche of financial support from the Growth Plan confirms that Montenegro is a reliable partner committed to achieving all outlined reforms. The Government has fulfilled all prerequisites for these funds to become available, and this sends a strong signal both to our citizens and to EU institutions. This is the first tangible sign that European integration is not an abstract concept, but one that brings real benefits to citizens and the economy. Investment in infrastructure and reform policies will be our ticket to joining the European Union in 2028,” said Minister Gorčević.
The EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, said that the Growth Plan supports Montenegro in implementing key reforms and in aligning its economy and living standards with those of the EU. “I am pleased that the first support package from the EU Growth Plan for Montenegro has been delivered and that we are witnessing the implementation of this important program. Soon, this will become standard practice – every six months the EU will assess whether Montenegro has implemented the necessary reforms, and funds will be disbursed based on achieved results. I believe this is a strong incentive for Montenegrin institutions to diligently pursue reform measures, so that progress in education, infrastructure, digitalization, and many other areas can be felt by every citizen – even before full EU membership,” stated Sattler.
By 2027, Montenegro has the opportunity to receive up to €383 million from the Reform and Growth Instrument for the Western Balkans, in exchange for progress in reforms in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights, renewable energy, the digital economy, human capital, and private sector development.
Future disbursements from this instrument will be made upon the fulfillment of reform steps agreed between the European Commission and the Government of Montenegro through the Reform Agenda.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS