Gorčević: Additional EU support is proof of the strong partnership and trust that Montenegro enjoys as a candidate for membership

Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, in her capacity as National IPA Coordinator (NIPAC), signed an Addendum to the Financial Agreement between Montenegro and the European Commission, thereby making an additional €50 million in non-repayable funds available to Montenegro for the construction of the Bar–Boljare motorway section between Mateševo and Andrijevica.

With this signing, the total European Union support for this strategic project amounts to €150 million, representing the largest amount of grant assistance ever approved for Montenegro for a single infrastructure project.

The Addendum to the Financial Agreement, implemented within the framework of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, significantly reduces the required allocation from Montenegro’s national budget and enables faster implementation of the Mateševo–Andrijevica section construction project, with a total value of €600 million.

“This additional support from the European Union is proof of the strong partnership and trust that Montenegro enjoys as a candidate country for EU membership. The construction of the Mateševo–Andrijevica section is not merely an investment in transport infrastructure, but an investment in better connectivity, more balanced development of the north, and new opportunities for domestic companies and workers,” Minister Gorčević stated.

The project will contribute to the development of the TEN-T transport network, improved connectivity between Montenegro, the region, and the European Union, reduction of regional disparities, and strengthening of competitiveness through the engagement of domestic construction companies, suppliers, and workforce.

Previously, within the framework of the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the European Commission had already supported the preparation of the feasibility study, its update, and the development of the conceptual design with €7.5 million in grant funding.