Montenegro to get 30 million euro in EU support to tackle energy crisis

Minister of Capital Investments and Deputy Prime Minister Ervin Ibrahimović met EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa. The two officials discussed issues of mutual interest related to the energy and transport agendas and the overall political situation.

Ambassador Popa stressed that Montenegro will receive 30 million euro from the European Union to tackle the ongoing energy crisis. The grant is part of a one-billion-euro support package from the EU to help its six partner states in the Western Balkans deal with the energy crisis. The package aims to alleviate the impact of high market prices for energy, supporting mostly small businesses and vulnerable familis. The Government will receive the funds in January.

We insist that the funds must primarily aim to preserve social stability, and that they must be directed towards preserving the standards of the population and the liquidity of small and medium-sized enterprises, said Minister Ibrahimović.

Ambassador Popa reiterated that EU is following with concern the political situation in Montenegro and its impact on reforms. Focus should be on building consensus and supporting functionality of judicial and democratic institutions to progress in EU accession process, she added.