Photo: Ministry of Energy and Mining
As part of its 2026 chairmanship of the Berlin Process, Montenegro today hosted the Ministerial Energy Forum and the Energy Investment Dialogue, bringing together energy ministers from the Western Balkan countries and representatives of the European Union, the Energy Community, international financial institutions and companies from the energy sector.
The Ministerial Energy Forum and Energy Investment Dialogue confirmed that the region is entering a decisive phase of the energy transition, where the focus is no longer on plans and strategies but on the implementation of concrete projects, strengthening energy security and accelerating the investment cycle, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro said.
Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović stressed that the forum represents a strong confirmation that the Western Balkans is becoming an area of opportunity, development and concrete results.
“Today we sent a strong and clear message that the Western Balkans is no longer a place of waiting, but a space of opportunity, development and concrete implementation. The energy transition is not a challenge that divides us, but a historical chance to make the region more stable, stronger and more competitive. Montenegro is determined to be the leader in this process as a country building a modern, sustainable and investment-attractive energy sector. Our goal is to position Montenegro as a reliable partner of the European Union and a future energy hub for the region through new partnerships, large infrastructure projects and accelerated integration with the European energy market. I believe that by working together we can ensure a more secure supply, stronger economic growth and a better quality of life for our citizens. A time of big decisions is ahead of us, but also of great opportunities – and Montenegro is ready to seize them,” Šahmanović stated.
As part of the Ministerial Energy Forum, the topics that were discussed included alignment with the European Union’s energy and climate framework, electricity market integration, security of supply, development of renewable energy sources and the strengthening of regional infrastructure.
Lorkowski: Success to depend on reform speed
Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski highlighted the importance of political determination and regional partnership in the next phase of the transition. “The Western Balkans have enormous energy potential, but success will depend on the speed of reforms, project readiness and stronger market integration. The Berlin Process and the Energy Community remain strong pillars for the region on its path toward full integration into the European energy market,” he said.
Montenegro is advancing very rapidly in negotiations on energy with the European Union, so that the completion of the negotiation process would be possible already in 2026, as announced by the European Union’s representatives, Lorkowski recalled.
Accelerate procedures, increase legal certainty
During the Energy Investment Dialogue event, special focus was on the removal of investment barriers, improvement of regulatory predictability, development of grid infrastructure and preparation of projects that can quickly reach the financial closure phase.
The participants agreed that the region possesses significant investment potential, but that for a stronger investment momentum it is necessary to accelerate procedures, increase legal certainty and further strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors, the ministry said.
During its chairmanship of the Berlin Process, Montenegro will continue to strongly promote regional cooperation, tangible infrastructure projects and policies that contribute to energy security, sustainability and the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the announcement reads.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is supporting the Ministerial Energy Forum within the framework of the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans. Established under the Berlin Process, the partnership unites Germany’s engagement in the fields of climate and energy in the region through dialogue, reforms and technical and financial cooperation, with the aim of accelerating the climate and energy transition in the Western Balkans.
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