In a context of global uncertainty and ongoing challenges, regional dialogue is crucial for strengthening financial stability and improving economic performance in the region, said Irena Radović, Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro, at the opening of the 12th Regional Summit of Central Bank Governors, Finance Ministers, and Directors of Tax Administrations in Bečići.
During her address, Radović stressed that in a time of complex global disruptions, responses to systemic challenges cannot be made individually. She underlined the importance of cooperation and dialogue in addressing energy security, the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing, climate and digital risks, and the creation of interoperable payments systems.
The 12th Regional Summit opened today in Bečići and will continue until tomorrow. The event is organized by the Association of Economists of Serbia and supported by the Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, and Tax Administration of Montenegro.
The opening was led by Irena Radović, Gert Jan Kopman, Director General for Enlargement and Neighborhood at the European Commission, and Aleksandar Vlahović, President of the Association of Economists of Serbia. The Summit brings together key financial institution representatives from the region, European Union, and international financial organizations.
Gert Jan Kopman stressed the importance of SEPA as a key project under the Western Balkans’ Growth Plan. He explained that the implementation of SEPA will bring direct benefits to businesses and citizens by reducing costs and risks, boosting investment, and helping to cut back on the shadow economy.
Aleksandar Vlahović stated that structural reforms are a prerequisite for faster convergence of the Western Balkans with the European Union.
During two panels at the Summit, Radović addressed the role of SEPA in the digital and financial integration of the region into the EU. She explained that for Montenegro, joining SEPA is not just a technical reform, but a step toward deeper European integration and financial modernization. She added that this move would help to accelerate convergence, strengthen market confidence, and create a more stable and competitive financial future.
The Summit also recognized the growing effects of geopolitical fragmentation on small, open economies like Montenegro. The participants stressed the necessity of strengthening regional cooperation and institutional resilience to respond to these pressures. They called for joint efforts to consolidate financial infrastructure, enhance digital interoperability, and pursue greater transparency and fiscal sustainability.
The Summit concluded with a clear message: financial systems should serve the people through inclusion, innovation, and stability. Regional institutions must work together to create a more resilient and competitive economic future for the Western Balkans.
