At the European Union Economic and Financial Dialogue in Brussels, the Central Bank of Montenegro said it is moving from formal alignment with European Union rules to full implementation and institutional readiness, and highlighted concrete steps already taken to integrate Montenegro’s financial system with the European framework. Governor Irena Radovic pointed to Montenegro’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area and said the planned introduction of the TIPS Clone system in July 2026 will provide full interoperability with the European instant payments infrastructure. Joint conclusions adopted at the meeting noted that Montenegro’s banking system has remained stable, profitable and well capitalised, with a further reduction in non-performing loans. In that context, Radovic said the central bank is acting preventively by strengthening macroprudential instruments, while also pursuing a needs assessment and reform roadmap for readiness to join the European System of Central Banks. During a separate bilateral meeting with European Commission Director-General Gert Jan Koopman, discussions focused on Montenegro’s accession process, including progress in negotiating chapter 9 on Financial Services and chapter 17 on Economic and Monetary Policy. The Brussels visit is set to continue with further meetings at the European Commission, the European Parliament and with Eurogroup representatives, aimed at supporting the reform process and Montenegro’s economic and financial convergence with the European Union.
Central Bank of Montenegro 2026-05-05
Central Bank of Montenegro highlights SEPA integration and July 2026 TIPS Clone rollout at EU financial dialogue
At the EU Economic and Financial Dialogue in Brussels, the Central Bank of Montenegro said it is moving from formal alignment with EU rules to full implementation and institutional readiness, highlighting Montenegro’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area and the planned July 2026 launch of the TIPS Clone system for interoperability with European instant payments. Joint conclusions noted Montenegro’s banking system remains stable, profitable and well capitalised, with lower non-performing loans, as the central bank strengthens macroprudential tools and prepares for eventual membership of the European System of Central Banks. Governor Irena Radovic also discussed progress on accession negotiations, including chapters on Financial Services and Economic and Monetary Policy, in bilateral talks with the European Commission.