Montenegro bilateral cooperation with France and US

Montenegro is engaging in strategic cooperation with France and the United States across various sectors. France is considering financing a master plan for the Podgorica and Tivat airports, with costs estimated between 2.5 and 3 million euros. Under a potential intergovernmental agreement, a French company such as Vinci Airports, Bouygues, Egis, or ADP could be selected to develop a long-term strategy through 2050, potentially expediting the selection process to approximately three months.

In the United States, the International Development Finance Corporation is evaluating investment opportunities following a strategic cooperation agreement signed in Washington. Proposed projects include the modernization of cargo and border control systems and the Adriatic-Ionian corridor.

Bilateral relations with France have expanded to include large-scale infrastructure, energy, and healthcare. Discussions with French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness Nicolas Forisies focused on Montenegro’s goal to join the European Union by 2028. Montenegro aims to utilize French entities like the French Development Agency, Bpifrance, and Société Générale to support an infrastructure investment master plan for 2026–2030, valued at approximately 5.77 billion euros. Additionally, cooperation is being explored for the construction of a new University Clinical Center in Podgorica to modernize medical capacities.

Disaster management remains a pillar of the partnership. A specialized training program, “Protection and Rescue from Floods – Basic Level,” was launched to enhance swift water rescue and boat operations, continuing a nearly two-decade partnership in protection and rescue services.