The Montenegrin Parliament approved the Law on the Ratification of the Agreement on Accession to the Instrument between the European Union (EU) and Montenegro, bringing the country one step closer to receiving the first payment from the Western Balkans Growth Plan.
According to a statement from the Ministry of European Affairs (MEP), the adoption of the Draft Law on the Ratification of the Agreement on Accession to the Instrument between the EU and Montenegro for special arrangements in implementing EU support to Montenegro under the Instrument for Reform and Growth marks a key step in the implementation of the Growth Plan.
European Affairs Minister Maida Gorčević stated in Parliament that the legal framework is now on the verge of finalization, which will enable the implementation of the Growth Plan, ensuring accelerated economic growth and faster convergence of key macroeconomic indicators toward EU member state averages.
“By ratifying this agreement and bringing it into force, we will enable the operational use of funds allocated to Montenegro under the Instrument for Reform and Growth, and its vital segment – the Reform Agenda,” said Gorčević.
She explained that the funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans are allocated through seven regular semi-annual tranches, with the disbursement of each tranche contingent on the successful implementation of planned reforms.
Additionally, Gorčević mentioned that the eighth tranche is fixed and intended for pre-financing, amounting to seven percent of the total available funds.
“This tranche, worth EUR 26.85 million, is expected to be realized after the ratification of the Accession Agreement and the signing of the Loan Agreement with the European Commission (EC),” Gorčević stated.
She clarified that the seven regular semi-annual tranches will be disbursed based on the fulfillment of specific quantitative and qualitative milestones outlined in the Reform Agenda.
Gorčević highlighted that Montenegro’s commitment to reforms and alignment with European standards is reflected in the successful implementation of significant steps from the Reform Agenda.
Montenegro has appointed the President of the Supreme Court, introduced standard operating procedures for the prosecution in cases of sexual and gender-based violence in line with the Istanbul Convention and the EU Directive on Victim Protection, and has made the registry of state-owned enterprises publicly available, with regular updates to increase transparency in public enterprise management.
“Moreover, the legal and infrastructure framework for cybersecurity has been improved by adopting the National Broadband Infrastructure Plan and the Information Security Law, which aligns with the NIS2 Directive,” the statement added.
Gorčević emphasized that, although the deadline for completing the first 14 steps from the Reform Agenda has not yet passed, the Montenegrin administration is making additional efforts to complete all activities.
“I am extremely proud to already report that we have made significant progress in many areas,” Gorčević concluded.
