Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – It was confirmed at a meeting between Minister of Finance Novica Vukovic, French Ambassador Anne-Marie Maskay, and representatives of the French Development Agency (AFD) that the strong partnership between Montenegro and France is one of the key pillars on Montenegro’s European path that contributes to long-term, sustainable development.

Vukovic said that France, through AFD and other cooperation mechanisms, remains a reliable and strategic partner of Montenegro in carrying out reforms and implementing development projects that directly contribute to improving citizens’ quality of life and accelerating European integration.

He recalled that credit support exceeding €122 million has been secured to date through cooperation with AFD, including a €50 million Development Policy Loan (DPL) arrangement.

Maskay reaffirmed France’s strong and continuous support for Montenegro’s European path, congratulating the country on the progress achieved in the negotiation process and noting that France views Montenegro as a reliable partner with clear EU membership prospects.

Anne Roos-Weil, Deputy Director of the Orient Department in Paris, stated that AFD remains strongly committed to supporting Montenegro in implementing reforms and developing projects that accelerate European integration and deliver tangible benefits to citizens, adding that Montenegro has a clear vision and the capacity to become a European success story.