The Montenegrin government has fulfilled the final requirement for the operational commencement of using available EU funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, paving the way for the disbursement of planned tranches.
“By adopting the Proposal for the Law on the Ratification of the Agreement on Accession to the Instrument between the EU and Montenegro for Special Arrangements for Implementing Support under the Reform and Growth Instrument, the government has completed all procedural steps for the disbursement of funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans,” the Ministry of European Affairs announced.
Previously, in December of last year, the government approved the Agreement, and by adopting the Proposal for the Law, all procedural steps have been completed for its continued approval in the Assembly.
The Growth Plan is a substantial financial instrument aimed at bringing Montenegro’s economic standards closer to the European average, as well as achieving comprehensive reforms that will transform the economic and social environment of the country.
“We expect the Assembly to review this proposal as soon as possible to enable the payment of pre-financing and the first tranche from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. As this is a framework agreement for Montenegro’s participation in the EU Growth Plan, its adoption in the Assembly and entry into force, along with all the preparatory work the government has done regarding the adoption of the Reform Agenda, are prerequisites for signing an additional Loan Agreement and payment of the allocated funds,” the statement added.
The Ministry also noted that as long as all the procedural steps are not fulfilled, the European Commission will not be able to start the first payments into the state budget.
“Therefore, it is crucial for the Assembly to conclude this process, as otherwise, Montenegro will not be able to access the planned funds for projects and reform initiatives,” the Ministry concluded.
