THE European Union (EU) has committed €175.6m to modernise the Bar - Golubovci line in Montenegro, a key section of the extended TEN-T Core Network linking the Western Balkans with Central Europe.
The financing package comprises a €112.6m EU grant from the European Commission (EC) under the Western Balkans Investment Framework and a €63m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Additional funding includes a €50m loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and €5.2m from the Montenegrin government, bringing the total project cost to an estimated €230.8m.
Described as one of the most important investments in Montenegro’s railway infrastructure in decades, the project will reconstruct 39km of railway between Bar and Golubovci, part of the strategic corridor connecting Belgrade with the Port of Bar. Once complete, train speeds should increase and reliability, safety and capacity should significantly improve. The modernised line is designed to accommodate around 1.3 million passengers and 1.85 million tonnes of freight annually.
According to the EC, the investment will strengthen regional connectivity, promote multimodal transport and support Montenegro’s green transition by shifting traffic from road to rail. The project is also intended to enhance climate resilience and align national infrastructure with EU standards.
EIB vice-president, Robert de Groot, says the funding marks another step towards integrating Montenegro’s transport network into the region.
“With these latest agreements, EIB Global’s support for the transport sector in Montenegro will reach a total of €500m, directly improving regional connectivity, boosting trade and tourism,” de Groot says.
