National Investment Commission holds its 2nd session

Podgorica, Montenegro (15 February 2017) -- Government of Montenegro has defined the development of infrastructure that will connect Montenegro with the region and Europe and make it more accessible, as one of the pillars of its economic policy, said Prime Minister Duško Marković at the 2nd session of the National Investment Commission.

Prime Minister Marković thanked Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Aivo Orav, who also attended the session, as an observer, for the continued support provided by the European Commission and the Delegation to Montenegro's EU bid and fulfilment of goals and tasks within the framework of the Berlin Process.

Voicing willingness to continue to assisting Montenegro in these areas and in establishing a system of prioritisation of projects, Ambassador Orav positively assessed the progress Montenegro has achieved by adopting the unified list of priority infrastructure projects.

Prime Minister recalled that the most important infrastructure projects, such as the construction of priority sections of the Bar-Boljare motorway, have been launched, adding that the Government will continue with the projects of modernisation of railway infrastructure and undersea energy cable between Montenegro and Italy.

He added that the construction and reconstruction of regional and local roads, expansion of port facilities, modernisation of airports and preparations for the construction of the Adriatic-Ionian motorway will be continued.

PM Marković in particular emphasised the need to make regional connections in order to jointly nominate and provide funds for infrastructure projects linking the countries of the Western Balkans, as an important factor in boosting cooperation, as well as peace and stability.

Today's session adopted Methodology for the selection and prioritisation of infrastructure projects establishing a unified system of prioritisation of projects, that, in addition to national, will be able to meet European standards, which will facilitate access to financial resources and funds of the European Union and other finance institutions.

Commission also defined the dynamic of updating the unique list of priority projects, which includes the following steps: the setting up of sectoral working groups, identification of projects and their prioritisation at the sectoral level and implementation of the GAP analysis process.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER