During their visit to Luxembourg for the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank Constituency, the Montenegrin delegation—led by Finance Minister Novica Vuković and Central Bank Governor Dr. Irena Radović—met with Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia.
Vice President Bassani congratulated Montenegro on its steady progress toward EU membership, highlighting the recent closing of Chapter 5 on Public Procurement. She expressed satisfaction that the World Bank contributed to this success and announced a new program aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Bassani praised the cooperation between Montenegro’s Ministry of Finance and Central Bank, particularly in relation to the country’s efforts to join the SEPA system and implement the TIPS clone project.
Minister Vuković thanked the World Bank for its ongoing support, which has helped implement €700 million worth of projects, notably in fiscal reform, green transition, digitalization, and infrastructure development.
Governor Radović emphasized the importance of the World Bank’s role in aligning Montenegro’s regulatory framework with EU standards and modernizing the payment system. She noted that joining SEPA and completing the TIPS clone project are key steps toward integrating Montenegro into the European financial system.
Both sides acknowledged the significance of the new World Bank Group Partnership Framework for Montenegro (2025–2029), valued at $350 million, as evidence of Montenegro’s credibility as a partner in sustainable development, climate resilience, and EU integration.
They reaffirmed their commitment to improving institutional effectiveness and ensuring successful implementation of joint initiatives that promote long-term economic growth and benefit all Montenegrin citizens.