Report: Montenegro talks with EU about financial aid

EU candidates Montenegro and Brussels are in talks over financial aid to refinance a Chinese loan, according to a statement (as reported by China.Table). The EU Commission has reportedly approached Germany’s Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW), France’s state-owned development agency AFD and Italy’s sovereign lender CDP to set an aid plan for Montenegro in motion. Reuters reported this, citing an EU representative. The plan is to get offers from the three lending institutions and then bring them together. A solution should be found before summer. The idea of the EU directly refinancing the Chinese loan to Montenegro has been rejected as it would have required Beijing’s approval, the EU representative said, according to the report. There was initially no confirmation from Brussels or the lenders.