CBCG Continues Dialogue with French Institutions on Montenegro’s European Integration
18/06/2026
As part of a two-day working visit to Paris, a delegation of the CBCG, led by Governor Irena Radović, met with Governor Emmanuel Moulin at the headquarters of the Banque de France.
During the meeting, they discussed Montenegro’s accession process to the European Union (EU), the activities undertaken by the CBCG within the negotiating chapters under its remit, and preparations for future integration into the European System of Central Banks (ESCB).
Governor Radović briefed Governor Moulin on the progress Montenegro has made in the European integration process, highlighting the country’s objective of closing all negotiating chapters by the end of 2026. She particularly emphasised the importance of the reforms being implemented by the CBCG in the areas of financial services, payment systems, statistics, AML/CFT, and the institutional strengthening of the CBCG in line with European central banking standards.
The interlocutors also discussed further improvements to the payments infrastructure, including the successful implementation of SEPA standards in Montenegro and the forthcoming introduction of TIPS instant payments, as well as the importance of digital transformation and preparations for future European initiatives in the fields of payments and the digital euro.
Governor Radović also presented the results of the CBCG Needs Assessment Project for Alignment with ESCB and Eurosystem Standards, which the CBCG is implementing in cooperation with the central banks of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with the EU support. In this context, the parties discussed opportunities for future cooperation with the Banque de France in areas of mutual interest, including professional exchanges, training programmes and support for the CBCG’s institutional transformation process.
Governor Moulin expressed his support for Montenegro’s European path and the CBCG’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacities and align with European standards, underlining the importance of independent and robust institutions for the success of the European integration process.
The meeting confirmed the mutual commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the CBCG and the Banque de France in support of Montenegro’s European future and its integration into the European central banking framework.
Governor Radović also met with Amélie de Montchalin, First President of the French Supreme Audit Institution (Cour des comptes) and former Minister for European Affairs. They discussed the role of credible institutions in strengthening public trust, with particular emphasis placed on institutional transparency and responsible governance as key factors for European convergence. Ms de Montchalin noted that Montenegro has reached a stage where the quality of reform implementation, administrative capacity and trust in institutions are becoming just as important as the formal legislative alignment with the European Union acquis.
During her visit to Paris, Governor Radović also met with Benoît Cœuré, President of the French Competition Authority (Autorité de la concurrence), Chair of the OECD Competition Committee, and former member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB) responsible for Montenegro. Discussions focused on the importance of competition, regulatory predictability and strong institutions for market development, consumer protection and strengthening economic confidence. The meeting also addressed the challenges posed by digitalisation and technological change in the financial sector, including issues relating to market competition, innovation, payment systems and digital financial services. The interlocutors expressed their readiness to further strengthen professional contacts and exchange experiences between their institutions in support of Montenegro’s reforms and European integration.
Governor Radović was also hosted by Senator Laurence Harribey, Rapporteur for Montenegro in the Senate of the French Republic and Chair of the France–Western Balkans Friendship Group. During the meeting, they discussed Montenegro’s current reform priorities and the role of strong institutions in achieving the strategic objective of European Union membership. The Senator expressed particular interest in the contribution of the CBCG to the accession process, especially in the areas of financial services, economic and monetary policy, financial stability, financial sector integrity, and preparations for future participation in the ESCB.
The interlocutors exchanged views on the importance of maintaining France’s strong support for a merit-based European Union enlargement policy and welcomed the strengthening of bilateral economic relations and partnerships in the fields of economic governance, institutional reform and the exchange of expertise.