COTEE: Montenegro's active role in the process of integration into the European electricity market

Montenegro plays an active role in the process of integration into the single European electricity market, which is confirmed by the participation of the delegation of the Montenegrin Electricity Market Operator (COTEE) at the EMIF 2026 forum in Brussels, the state-owned company announced.

"The participation of the COTEE delegation at EMIF 2026 confirms Montenegro's active and responsible role in the process of integration into the single European electricity market and represents a significant contribution to national and regional efforts aimed at strengthening the competitiveness, stability and sustainability of the electricity sector," the company said in a statement.

They added that the presence at this important forum in the European Parliament confirms the company's commitment to continuously monitor and actively support the processes that will determine Montenegro's future position within the single European electricity market and the broader European energy transition.

COTEE explained that EMIF is the central annual forum in the European Parliament dedicated to the integration of the Energy Community contracting parties into the single European electricity market.

"The aim of this platform is to further strengthen awareness among decision-makers about the importance of integrating regional electricity markets and accelerate the process of market coupling, i.e. merging national markets with the single EU market," the statement said.

The company announced that a specific question was raised at the forum regarding the obligations arising from the implementation of the Carbon Cross-Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as well as the possibility of introducing transitional measures that would mitigate its impact on the electricity sector of Montenegro and other Energy Community countries.

This topic, as explained, will be transferred to the European Commission and other relevant institutions in accordance with the conclusions of the EMIF 2026, in order to provide clearer clarifications and consider possible options for mitigating the effects of the CBAM, including possible transitional mechanisms for the Energy Community countries.

The forum, among other things, agreed that Members of the European Parliament should ask questions to the European Commission and other relevant institutions on issues to which EMIF 2026 did not provide clear answers, and that the contracting parties to the Energy Community should continue their efforts towards integration into the single European electricity market as soon as possible.

It was also agreed that Members of the European Parliament would monitor the progress of participating countries and encourage relevant institutions to support market coupling processes.

"CBAM requires additional adjustments to ensure a smooth market coupling process and avoid serious consequences for local markets," the forum's conclusions stated.