Central Bank of Montenegro Governor Irena Radović met World Bank representatives to discuss the next phase of cooperation on payments modernization, institutional capacity and financial system development. The World Bank indicated that its support would focus on operating the instant payments system, developing modern payment services and strengthening the central bank’s analytical and institutional capabilities. Radović also outlined preparations for Montenegro’s European integration, including further alignment with European Union standards and stronger institutional, operational and technical readiness for future membership in the European System of Central Banks and, later, the Eurosystem. The discussions followed earlier World Bank-supported work that helped Montenegro join the Single Euro Payments Area geographical scope as the first Western Balkan economy to do so and establish the TIPS Clone platform.