Montenegro’s energy minister and Croatia’s economy minister discussed energy cooperation in Zagreb, including a second subsea cable to Italy that could raise transfer capacity from 600 to 1,200 megawatts. The meeting also covered regional market integration and Montenegro’s progress towards closing EU accession Chapter 15 – Energy, the country’s Ministry of Energy and Mining said.
Admir Šahmanović and Ante Šušnjar met on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Connectivity High-Level Group, known as CESEC. Montenegro’s State Secretary Dino Tutundžić and Ambassador to Croatia Dejan Vuković also attended.
Šahmanović briefed Šušnjar on the ministry’s results over the previous 18 months. He said Montenegro had advanced energy-sector reform, alignment with European legislation and preparations for large investment projects. After work to establish a legal and institutional framework, the sector was entering a phase of stronger investment development, he said.
Šahmanović said that development could create opportunities for strategic partnerships with international companies and investors, particularly in renewable energy, energy storage and infrastructure. The ministers’ discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation, diversifying supply routes and integrating regional energy markets.
He pointed to progress in linking Montenegro’s electricity market with Italy’s, describing it as an important step towards integration into the single European electricity market. Šahmanović stressed the importance of continuing the second subsea power cable project, which would double the transfer capacity between Montenegro and Italy if built.
“Montenegro is positioning itself as an important energy link between the Western Balkans and the European Union,” Šahmanović said. He added that further interconnection with Italy would strengthen that role and create opportunities to integrate Montenegro’s market into Europe’s energy system.
Montenegro had met key obligations under Chapter 15 – Energy, Šahmanović said, and its closure was expected soon. “Closing Chapter 15 would be another important step towards Montenegro’s full integration into Europe’s energy system and market,” he said. He also thanked Croatia for its continued support for Montenegro’s European path, including its backing for closing the chapter.
The ministers also discussed the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline, which could open new gas supply routes and improve energy links among Adriatic countries. They said its further development should be considered in light of regional needs, market conditions and the project’s economic viability.
They described stronger connections between energy systems, sustainable infrastructure and long-term strategic partnerships as shared interests and prerequisites for a more secure, stable and competitive regional energy market.
