Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Montenegro and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are entering a new phase of partnership, marked by record investment, far-reaching reforms, and the implementation of the country’s largest infrastructure projects as it moves toward European Union (EU) membership, their representatives said.

Finance Minister Novica Vukovic met with the EBRD's newly appointed Managing Director for Southeast Europe, Grzegorz Zielinski, Infrastructure Director Elena Gordeva, the newly appointed Head of the EBRD Office in Montenegro, Ekaterina Solovova, as well as the outgoing Head of Office, Remon Zakaria.

Vukovic said Montenegro is currently experiencing strong reform and investment momentum, supported by stable macroeconomic indicators and the fastest EU accession progress in the region. 

He added that the EBRD remains one of the country's most important partners in delivering its development priorities.

Zielinski described Montenegro’s progress on its path toward EU membership as impressive, expressing satisfaction that the EBRD has the opportunity to support and contribute to that development.

Gordeva particularly welcomed the Ministry of Finance’s role in preparing and implementing development projects, noting that effective coordination is a key prerequisite for the successful delivery of the ambitious investment cycle.

Solovova said her term of office would focus on strengthening the partnership with the Government and ensuring the efficient implementation of joint projects. 

Vuković thanked Zakaria for his outstanding contribution to strengthening the partnership between Montenegro and the EBRD, noting that the achievements during his tenure had laid a solid foundation for a new phase of cooperation and the implementation of even more ambitious development projects.