30 million grants to Montenegro for energy support

In January, the European Union (EU) will provide Montenegro with grants in the amount of 30 million euros to support the energy sector, announced the EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Oana Kristina Popa.
Today, Popa met with the Minister of Capital Investments, Ervin Ibrahimović, with whom she discussed issues of common interest related to the energy and transport agendas and the overall political situation.
As reported, Popa once again confirmed that the European Commission (EC) is providing an energy support package of one billion euros for its six partners from the Western Balkans.
"Within the framework of this plan, the EU will provide grants in the amount of 30 million euros for the benefit of the citizens of Montenegro next January. The main goal is to mitigate the impact of high market energy prices in order to protect small businesses and vulnerable households," said Popa.
Popa and Ibrahimović also discussed the need for a functional "day-ahead" electricity market to start operating, as well as the need to connect with neighboring markets, speed up the transition to market support schemes for renewable energy, and the adoption of the law on the security of supply of petroleum derivatives and the establishment of authorities for storage of mandatory oil reserves.
"These are all priorities that are listed in the annual report on the accession of Montenegro and which are crucial for the country's energy security in the current geopolitical context," said Popa.
She also talked with Ibrahimović about traffic issues, i.e. road and rail connections.
"We agreed to continue contacts between the EC and Montenegro, in order to ensure careful use of public financial resources and full respect for environmental and other EU standards," said Popa.
She repeated to Ibrahimović that the EU is monitoring the domestic political situation and its influence on reforms with concern.
"All political actors should concentrate on creating a consensus and refrain from any action that could further deepen the institutional crisis and undermine democratic institutions. Montenegro's progress in joining the EU requires all political actors to support the functionality of judicial and democratic institutions", concluded Popa.
I.B.