H.E. Ms. Zhaklina Peto, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Montenegro
Albania and Montenegro’s joint vision for infrastructure, energy, and EU accession
Albania and Montenegro stand at a pivotal moment in their shared European journey. Since Montenegro’s independence in 2006, the two countries have built relations on trust, good neighbourliness, and a clear orientation toward the EU. Today, they are not only strategic partners and NATO allies, but also collaborators in energy, infrastructure, tourism, and reforms that strengthen regional stability. In this interview, H.E. Ms. Zhaklina Peto explores how bilateral cooperation is evolving, what progress Albania has made on its accession path, and how both nations envision a more connected and prosperous Western Balkans.
How would you assess the current level of bilateral cooperation, and in which areas do you see the greatest potential for strengthening these ties?
Since 2006, the year Montenegro declared its independence, the relations between our two countries have been built on clear political, diplomatic, and European foundations. Albania was among the first states to recognize Montenegro’s independence, giving a strong signal of support and respect for the sovereign choice of the Montenegrin people. This approach, appreciated also by the European Union, placed our relationship on the EU’s fundamental principle: good neighbourliness. Thanks to this principle, cooperation has been stable and results-oriented. Today, Albania and Montenegro are not only good neighbours, but also strategic partners and NATO members, adding an important dimension of security and regional cooperation. In economic terms, the year 2024 marked a significant increase in visitors from Montenegro to Albania:
2024 (Jan-December): 762,684 entries from Montenegro to Albania, out of a total of 11,696,078 entries.
2025 (Jan-September): 605,135 entries from Montenegro to Albania, out of a total of 10,228,686 entries.
These figures show very positive developments both in economic terms and in bilateral relations. This means that Albania is perceived as higher-quality, safer, and more competitive compared to other destinations in the region. Both countries are intensifying efforts to further expand economic cooperation, identifying new potential sectors and creating more efficient mechanisms for connecting businesses and investors. The accession of Albania and Montenegro to SEPA is an important step toward European financial integration, as it enables euro transfers under the same rules and fees applied within the EU. This mechanism reduces the costs of cross-border payments, increases transparency, and accelerates the circulation of funds, facilitating businesses, trade, investors, and diaspora remittances. The benefits are particularly significant in tourism, services, and bilateral trade, strengthening competitiveness and consolidating the economic connection of Albania and Montenegro with the European market. Albania has established two new economic and technological zones TEDA Tirana and Durana Tech Park which aim to provide a modern environment for industry, innovation, and services aligned with European standards. TEDA Tirana focuses on industrial and manufacturing activities, while Durana Tech Park targets technological development and start-ups. To attract investment, the government has introduced significant fiscal incentives, such as a 50% reduction of corporate income tax for the first five years, exemption from the real estate transfer tax, support for employee training, and incentives for research and development. These measures substantially reduce operating costs and increase the attractiveness of the zones for investors. These developments create new opportunities for economic cooperation with Montenegro, offering Montenegrin companies favorable conditions for opening subsidiaries, logistics centers, or joint projects. The new zones encourage the growth of trade exchanges, the creation of joint supply chains, and the strengthening of economic integration between the two countries. Three areas present exceptional potential for further deepening:
Infrastructure and regional connectivity
The Durrës-Hani i Hotit-Podgorica railway project, part of Corridor 8 and supported by the EBRD, creates a new commercial and logistical corridor.
Energy
The Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) and its connections with TAP make our region part of Europe’s new energy diversification map.
Tourism and environment
Shared natural areas such as the Buna River, Lake Shkodra, and the Albanian-Montenegrin Alps offer unique potential for the development of cross-border and sustainable tourism. Furthermore, on December 10 th in Tirana, the Regional Economic Forum will take place, aiming to create a shared platform for dialogue where the highest political, diplomatic, and economic representatives of the region and the European Union will discuss the impact of global developments on security and stability in the Balkans, promote economic integration and the acceleration of the EU accession process, and highlight Albania’s role as a growing hub for investment, infrastructure, energy, and tourism. With the participation of foreign ministers, ambassadors, and leaders of international financial institutions, the forum places regional cooperation, Albania’s economic transformation, and the importance of human capital as a driving force for future development at the center of its agenda.
How do you evaluate Albania’s recent progress on this path, especially following the positive report from the European Commission?
The latest European Commission report is the clearest evidence of progress. On 18 November 2025, Albania opened all negotiation chapters, an important achievement that comes after deep reforms in justice, the fight against corruption and organized crime, the digitalization of public administration, and the improvement of fundamental rights standards. As I have emphasized before, the greatest challenge now is the implementation phase following the opening of the chapters. Albania needs to strengthen administrative capacities, achieve measurable results, and accelerate harmonization with the acquis in areas such as energy, environment, economy, and governance. Montenegro’s experience is extremely valuable in this process, and technical cooperation between the two countries is a true example of good neighborliness and mutual learning within the enlargement process. This is also demonstrated by frequent technical meetings between the Albanian State Minister and Chief Negotiator, Ms. Majlina Dhuka, and the Montenegrin Minister for Europe, Ms. Maida Gorčević, where concrete experiences, best practices, and effective approaches to managing negotiation chapters are exchanged. These meetings not only strengthen the technical capacities of both sides but also once again demonstrate the very good level of our relations in fulfilling our shared European goal. Even though Montenegro is in the final stages of its chapters, its willingness to share experience and collaborate closely with Albania turns this process into a remarkable example of regional partnership and solidarity.
How can Montenegro and Albania jointly contribute to a more connected and stable Western Balkans?
Albania and Montenegro naturally contribute to regional stability because they share a clear European orientation and respect the EU criteria for good neighborliness, regional cooperation, and constructive dialogue. This contribution is reflected in three main pillars:
Economic connectivity and infrastructure
The Durrës-Hani i Hotit-Podgorica railway, Corridor 8, and energy projects such as IAP/ TAP enhance the region’s competitiveness, connectivity, and economic stability.
Security
The institutions of both countries cooperate in the fight against organized crime, trafficking, and money laundering, strengthening regional trust and alignment with European standards.
Social dimension
The Albanian community in Montenegro serves as a natural bridge for cooperation, contributing to legislation, governance, local development, culture, and dialogue between our people.
Which priorities and reforms, in your opinion, will be most decisive for maintaining positive momentum in the accession process?
Reforms related to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the strengthening of democratic institutions remain essential for the progress of negotiations particularly in Chapters 23 and 24, which the EU considers the “foundation” of the accession process. Equally important is the enhancement of administrative capacities and the consistent implementation of policies harmonized with the acquis, as these demonstrate a country’s genuine readiness to function as an EU member. Political stability and constructive dialogue are also indispensable, and the EU views them as part of the standards for good neighborliness and good governance. For Albania, it is crucial to implement strategies following the opening of the chapters, advance the green transition, make progress in energy, and modernize infrastructure. Measurable and sustainable results are key to maintaining the positive momentum in the integration process.
What would be your message to the citizens of Montenegro and Albania as both countries continue their European journey and to our readers who follow regional cooperation and integration with optimism?
My message is one of confidence and a clear European orientation. Albania and Montenegro have demonstrated that cooperation in the spirit of good neighborliness delivers concrete results and creates lasting stability. I tell our citizens that the path toward the EU is an investment in stability, higher living standards, and greater economic and social opportunities. Every joint project ranging from infrastructure to energy, from security to tourism clearly shows that our countries move faster when they move together.
The optimism for the region is realistic: the Western Balkans can become a European success story, and the cooperation between Albania and Montenegro is a clear example of this path.