Montenegro in ‘Final Phase’ of Talks With Europe to Cut Indebtedness to China

Montenegro in ‘Final Phase’ of Talks With Europe to Cut Indebtedness to China
Montenegrin Finance Minister Milojko Spajic speaks during an interview with Reuters in Podgorica, Montenegro, on May 25, 2021. Stevo Vasiljevic/Reuters
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BELGRADE—A European state financial institution is ready to refinance $809 million of Montenegro’s debt to China, allowing the tiny Adriatic republic to make savings and cut interest rates, the country’s finance minister said on Thursday.

China sees the Western Balkans, which includes Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia, as well as Montengro, as part of its Belt and Road initiative to expand Chinese influence.