In order to achieve the objectives of this Agreement and in accordance with Articles 5, 116 and 118, Montenegro may receive financial assistance from the Community in the forms of grants and loans, including loans from the European Investment Bank. Community aid is conditional on further progress in satisfying the Copenhagen political criteria and in particular progress in meeting the specific priorities of the European Partnership. Account shall also be taken of the results of the annual reviews of the countries of the Stabilisation and Association process, in particular as regards the recipients’ undertaking to carry out democratic, economic and institutional reforms and of other Council conclusions, pertaining in particular to the respect of adjustment programmes. Aid granted to Montenegro shall be geared to observed needs, agreed priorities, the capacity to absorb and repay, and the measures taken to reform and restructure the economy.
Financial assistance, in the form of grants, shall be covered by the operation measures provided for in the relevant Council Regulation within a multiannual indicative framework and based on annual action programmes, established by the Community following consultations with Montenegro.
Financial assistance may cover all sectors of cooperation, paying particular attention to Justice, Freedom and Security, approximation of legislation, economic development and environmental protection.
At the request of Montenegro and in case of special need, the Community could examine in coordination with international financial institutions, the possibility of granting on an exceptional basis macro-financial assistance subject to certain conditions and taking into account the availability of all financial resources. This assistance would be released subject to the fulfilment of conditions to be established in the context of a programme agreed between Montenegro and the International Monetary Fund.
In order to permit optimum use of the resources available, the Parties shall ensure that Community contributions are made in close coordination with those from other sources such as the Member States, other countries and international financial institutions.
To this effect, information on all sources of assistance shall be exchanged regularly between the Parties.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
