Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Minister of Finance Novica Vukovic said that Montenegro aims to become a regional leader in public finance reforms, with its partnership with the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) being a key part of that path.

It was noted his meeting with CEF Director Jana Repensek and representatives of that international organization that cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and the CEF in recent years has been highly successful and substantive, significantly contributing to strengthening capacities in public financial management, fiscal policy, auditing, and public sector accounting.

Vukovic stated that Montenegro sees the CEF as a reliable and strategic partner, adding that the Ministry of Finance will remain strongly committed to further deepening cooperation, particularly in the context of implementing reforms and the EU accession process.

The Ministry said in a press release that the meeting also covered continued cooperation following the completion of regional projects, with particular attention given to the development of bilateral initiatives.

In this context, readiness was expressed to jointly define priority areas of cooperation, including improving fiscal planning, strengthening the link between the Economic Reform Programme and the Reform Agenda, as well as developing modern monitoring and reporting systems.

Repensek said that the meeting provided a deeper understanding of the Ministry’s priorities and needs on its path toward EU integration.

“CEF remains strongly committed to providing concrete support through projects in Montenegro, as well as through broader regional initiatives, particularly in the field of macroeconomic projections, fiscal risks, debt management, and public sector accounting, while also working on improving internal labor market mechanisms. We especially appreciate the Minister’s recognition of CEF’s role as a reliable partner in strengthening capacities and improving public finances,” Repensek said.