The Central Bank of Montenegro’s Vice-Governor, Zorica Kalezic, opened the CEF Forum 2025 in Becici and used the event to set out the central bank’s recent reform milestones aimed at improving services for citizens and businesses and supporting Montenegro’s European integration agenda. The overview covered participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), development of a national instant payment system described as a TIPS clone, alignment of the regulatory framework with European Union standards, steps to enhance transparency, work on sustainable finance, and adoption of a new strategic plan for 2025–2028. The forum programme included panel discussions on strengthening institutional capacity across Southeast Europe, with the Central Bank of Montenegro’s Human Resources Directorate highlighting the role of motivated and competent teams. Ahead of the forum, the CEF Governing Board met with finance ministers and central bank governors from member countries, adopted the CEF 2024 Annual Report, and discussed training plans and programmes to be implemented in 2026.