The European Commission has allocated 100 million euros to Montenegro to aid in the construction of the Bar-Boljara highway section, specifically between Mateševo and Andrijevica.

According to the EU delegation in Podgorica, this financing decision is part of the economic-investment plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans.

Once completed, this highway will link Montenegro’s northern region to Podgorica and the coastal area, playing a vital role in the country’s socio-economic advancement. This section forms part of the East-Med corridor extension within the Trans-European transport network.

“The EU is dedicated to investing in Montenegro, as it is a key candidate for accession, to enhance the socio-economic progress of the nation. The construction of the next segment of the Bar-Boljara motorway will foster greater integration within the Western Balkan region and unleash trade and investment opportunities, essential for the EU’s growth strategy for the Western Balkans,” stated Oliver Varhelyi.

The total projected costs for constructing the Mateševo-Andrijevica section are around 600 million euros. The initial tranche of EU support, amounting to 100 million euros, will be followed by a second tranche of up to 100 million euros from EU funds.

The EU funding will be executed in close partnership with Montenegro and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has agreed to provide a loan for this initiative. Montenegro is expected to follow competitive public procurement procedures and maintain transparent implementation processes in line with European standards, as announced by the delegation.

The Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, expressed her enthusiasm for the strong and clear EU support for Montenegro, acknowledging its status as a leading candidate for EU accession.

She noted that the 100 million euro grant is meant to finance the second phase of the Bar-Boljara highway project, which is the first of two tranches of support received from IPA funds.

“With a growth plan that commits nearly 400 million euros to Montenegro, we are gaining a significant financial boost, which will facilitate further economic development and enhance investment potential,” Gorčević remarked on X.