Montenegro

Political relations

France plays an important role in forming closer ties between Montenegro and the European Union. Along with its European partners, it is helping Montenegro undertake structural reforms. France has also seconded a technical expert to the Office for European integration attached to the Prime Minister.

Recent visits and bilateral meetings (visit to Paris by Foreign Minister Radulović; meeting between the President of the French Republic and Prime Minister Krivokapić; visit to Paris by the Chief Negotiator for Montenegro’s Accession to EU and by the Finance Minister, see below) have lent fresh impetus to our bilateral relations.

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), which will be based in Podgorica and for which a letter of intent was signed on 16 November 2022 between France, Slovenia and Montenegro, is a concrete sign of the improvement in our bilateral relations.

Economic relations

There are limited bilateral economic relations, but opportunities exist with regard to specific issues, such as tourism, renewables and agriculture. France has recorded a trade surplus with Montenegro, which is constantly increasing. FDI stock followed the same trend until 2019 but the withdrawal of Société Générale impacted this development. French exports were strong in 2022 at €46 million, up significantly compared to the 2021 total (35%). In 2021, transport equipment accounted for most of our sales (€20 million, up 13% on 2020), ahead of the “textiles, clothes, leather and footwear” category (€2.15 million); “food products” (€1.9 million); “industrial and agricultural machinery” (€1.4 million), “chemicals, perfumes and cosmetics” (€1 million). Some 90% of French imports from Montenegro belong to three categories of products: metal products; chemicals, perfumes and cosmetics; and food, forestry and fishing products. In 2021, France was the country’s 7th-largest supplier and 17th-largest customer.

About a dozen French companies are established in the country. In the energy sector, with the support of Proparco, Akuo Energy invested in the Krnovo wind farm (72 MW). Valgo is also present for the Bijela shipyard decontamination project. Several major pharmaceutical groups (Sanofi, Servier) and cosmetic groups (L’Oréal) have opened sales offices. French companies are also present in the aviation sector. Navblue, a subsidiary of Airbus, carried out a study on the introduction of night flights in Tivat airport. Several groups are interested in the concession to operate Podgorica and Tivat airports for 30 years (ADP group with its Turkish subsidiary TAV and Bouygues).