Spajić, Calviño: Launch of investments worth more than €250 million for healthcare, rail transport, energy security, support for Montenegro’s European path

By launching new investments worth more than EUR 250 million for the improvement of the healthcare system, railway infrastructure and energy transition of small and medium-sized enterprises, Montenegro and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are reaffirming their strategic partnership and strengthening Montenegro’s European integration.

This was emphasised during the Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s meeting with EIB President Nadia Calviño, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro.

As announced during the meeting, EIB investments in Montenegro are expected to triple in 2026 compared to last year.

In the presence of PM Spajić and the EIB President, loan agreements were signed for the financing of the project for equipping healthcare institutions in Montenegro, the project for the modernisation of the electrified single-track railway on the Bar–Golubovci section, including the Ratac landslide area and the Sozina tunnel, the investment grant agreement for the Orient/East-Mediterranean Corridor: Railway Route 4 (Bar–Vrbnica railway line), Golubovci–Bar section, as well as a financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and the Development Bank of Montenegro.

The agreements were signed by Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Coordinator of the Ministry of Transport Filip Radulović, CEO of the Development Bank of Montenegro Nikola Tripković and EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot.

The projects include a EUR 27 million loan to the Ministry of Health of Montenegro for equipping more than 30 public hospitals and clinics with new medical technologies, which will strengthen Montenegro’s healthcare system and improve disease prevention and the quality of healthcare services.

Furthermore, EUR 175 million has been allocated for the upgrade of the railway line between the Port of Bar and Golubovci. The funds include a EUR 63 million loan and a EUR 112 million European Union’s grant under the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

This project will increase the capacity, efficiency and safety of railway transport in Montenegro while encouraging trade, regional connectivity and integration with the EU.

The agreement with the Development Bank includes a EUR 50 million loan to support new credit lines for small and medium-sized enterprises for the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

The Prime Minister emphasised that today’s signing of the agreements with the EIB for the implementation of important development projects in transport infrastructure, healthcare, and energy security confirms the strong partnership between Montenegro and the EIB.

“These are investments that citizens directly feel through a better quality of life, while at the same time confirming that Montenegro is responsibly implementing reforms and progressing on its European path, with the goal of becoming a full EU member by 2028. The EIB’s continuous support testifies to the fact that the EU recognises Montenegro as a reliable partner. It is especially important that since November last year the EIB has had an office open in Montenegro, because many more projects lie ahead of us, from education and environmental protection to the continued modernisation of roads. At the same time, the EIB is involved in our most significant infrastructure projects, such as the second section of the motorway,” said Prime Minister Spajić.

President Calviño welcomed Montenegro’s progress and confirmed continued support for the goal of completing Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations by the end of this year.

The EIB Group welcomes Montenegro’s impressive progress and will continue to support its path toward European Union membership. Through this new financing, we are also contributing to improving the daily lives of citizens and businesses: by strengthening the healthcare system through state-of-the-art technology, modernising the Bar–Golubovci railway line, and accelerating the energy transition among small and medium-sized enterprises in support of the country’s energy security, Ms Calviño stated.

Since 2009, the EIB Group has allocated EUR 1.5 billion to Montenegro in key areas such as education, healthcare, environment, small and medium-sized enterprises and sustainable transport.

Montenegro is the largest recipient of the EIB funds per capita relative to GDP among the countries of the Western Balkans and countries covered by the enlargement policy.