Between 2014 and 2020, the European Commission (EC) granted Montenegro approximately 116 million euros in non-repayable aid through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds, covering a wide range of sectors, the Ministry of European Affairs (MEP) announced.
A Sectoral Monitoring Committee for IPA recently held meetings to assess progress and guide ongoing reform processes supported by the EU’s pre-accession funds. The meetings brought together representatives from Montenegrin institutions, IPA fund beneficiaries, and relevant European Commission directorates to review achievements and discuss next steps in EU-funded reforms.
Key areas supported by IPA include rule of law, public administration reform, energy, environmental protection, transport, trade, education, employment, social protection, innovation, agriculture, and rural development.
Participants reviewed legal, institutional, and operational prerequisites essential for the effective and sustainable implementation of IPA-funded programs.
The meetings were opened by Bojan Vujović, Director General of the EU Financial Support Coordination Directorate at MEP, and Milica Adžić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and national IPA certifying officer. Lizelot Isakson, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Montenegro, reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing support for Montenegro’s reform efforts.
Many projects funded by IPA are still in progress, with significant advancements also ongoing under IPA III (2021–2027), which allocates approximately 105 million euros.
The discussions focused on monitoring the implementation of Montenegro’s Reform Agenda, a structured set of political, legal, and institutional reforms linked to EU accession efforts. This agenda is supported by a total of 383.5 million euros, including grants and favorable loans, providing substantial support to the state budget, public administration, and citizens.
Participants reviewed progress on 32 key reforms outlined in the agenda, identifying achievements as well as areas needing further effort and acceleration.
In the coming years, Montenegrin institutions will focus on effectively utilizing available funds to accelerate reforms, align with EU standards, and advance the country’s EU membership prospects.
Success will depend on timely identification of improvement areas and continuous strengthening of institutional and human capacities to ensure readiness for managing EU structural and cohesion funds post-accession.
