Montenegro Central Bank Gains EU Backing After Needs Assessment Review

The Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) delegation, led by Governor Irena Radović, met with European Commission officials in Brussels, including DG ENEST director Gert Jan Koopman. Partners from the Dutch and Belgian central banks, as well as Deutsche Bundesbank, presented the results of the Needs Assessment project aimed at aligning CBCG with European System of Central Banks (ESCB) standards.

The report highlighted recommendations to enhance CBCG’s institutional, operational, technological and staffing capacities, stressing the importance of SEPA integration and preparation for the TIPS payment‑infrastructure. EU officials praised the progress as a key pillar of Montenegro’s readiness for the next phase of EU accession negotiations, urging continued reforms to meet ESCB requirements.

The meeting underscored ongoing support from the European Commission and partner central banks, providing a roadmap for the final alignment of Montenegro’s central banking framework with EU norms as the country advances toward EU membership.