Montenegro has received nearly €27 million in pre-financing as part of the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, aimed at accelerating the region’s EU integration, reports RFE.
This initial payment represents only a portion of the total €383 million allocated to Montenegro under the Growth Plan for the period up to 2027.
According to EU Ambassador in Podgorica, Johan Sattler, future disbursements will be contingent upon Montenegro’s progress in implementing the agreed reforms.
“Every six months, the EU will assess whether Montenegro has implemented the necessary reforms, and funds will be disbursed based on these results,” said Sattler, adding that this mechanism serves as a strong incentive for Montenegrin institutions to stay committed to reform.
Montenegro’s Government has declared its ambition to close all EU negotiation chapters by the end of next year, with the goal of becoming a full EU member state by 2028. Currently, the country has closed less than 20% of its negotiation chapters.
Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević stated that Montenegro fulfilled all required steps to secure the first disbursement — including the ratification of the Growth Plan Agreement in Parliament and signing a loan agreement with the European Commission.
From the received funds, €14.3 million will be allocated to energy sector projects, while the remaining amount will support key priorities outlined in Montenegro’s reform agenda.
The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is designed to accelerate the accession of six regional countries by fostering deeper economic integration and alignment with EU standards. A total of €6 billion has been allocated for this initiative — comprising €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in favorable loans, all tied to successful reform implementation and legal harmonization with the EU acquis.
