Paris: An additional EUR 1.5 million to Montenegro for the preparation of the construction of a bypass around Budva

European Union, within the nineteenth call for projects proposal of the Western Balkans Investment Framework, allocated additional EUR 1.5 million to Montenegro for the preparation of project documentation for the construction of the bypass around Budva, as a priority part of the coastal variant of the Adriatic-Ionian motorway, it is confirmed at a meeting of the Steering Committee of this instrument held today in Paris.

At the meeting, Montenegro was represented by Deputy Chief Negotiator - National IPA Coordinator Ms Ivana Glišević Đurović.

The allocated funds will be used for preparation of a preliminary design and social and environmental impact assessment for the 17 kilometres of the priority bypass and two associated loops, relying on the EUR 2.5 million granted by the EU at the end of 2017 to prepare the same documentation with the main project for the first 13 kilometres of the bypass, with a total length of 30 kilometres. The approved project is an addition to a series of projects funded by the EU in Montenegro as part of the Berlin Process, being a political platform within which the Union provides support to the Western Balkans for transport and energy connectivity and the implementation of related reforms in these areas.

Ms Ivana Glišević Đurović presented the approved project to the members of the Steering Committee, pointing out the benefits that Montenegro will have from the construction of a priority bypass around Budva, especially in the area of traffic congestion management, which meets the requirements of accelerated tourism development. She emphasized that the Government will continue with dedicated work on the preparation of investments in infrastructure, having in mind that infrastructure projects are among the main priorities of the Government.

"I am convinced that the construction of a priority bypass around Budva, as part of the coastal variant of the Adriatic - Ionian motorway, which will follow, will be of great importance for the development of tourism in this region and intensification of the economic development of Montenegro as a whole," Ms Glišević Đurović said in her speech.

SECTOR FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE PROCESS OF ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO