Pristina, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Sahmanovic said that Montenegro is among the countries in the region most committed to implementing energy sector reforms, adding that it is ready to take the next step toward full integration into the EU's single energy market.

“Today, energy is much more than a sectoral policy. It is a matter of economic stability, energy security and the overall competitiveness of the country. Montenegro is working very actively and remains fully committed to its European path and to reforms that will enable full integration into the European energy market,” Sahmanovic said at the Informal Ministerial Council of the Energy Community in Pristina.

The main topics of the meeting of energy ministers from the region, which was also attended by representatives of the European Commission, Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski, and ministers from Kosovo and North Macedonia, were the accelerated integration of Energy Community contracting parties into the EU electricity and gas markets, and strengthening energy security amid growing geopolitical challenges.

Speaking about Montenegro’s progress, Sahmanovic recalled that the country had completed the process of aligning its national legislation with the EU Electricity Market Integration Package and had already begun the compliance verification process.

“Our priority is to close Negotiating Chapter 15 by the end of this year. We are confident that a positive outcome of the verification process will pave the way for Montenegro’s integration into the EU internal electricity market and future market coupling, bringing tangible benefits to both citizens and businesses,” Sahmanovic said.

He added that energy market integration is far more than a regulatory process and marks an important step toward deeper economic integration between Montenegro and the European Union.