A regional proposal to amend the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for the electricity sector has reached the European Parliament, marking a major milestone for Western Balkan cooperation on energy policy. Initiated by Montenegro’s Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović and unanimously endorsed by energy ministers across the region, the proposal has been formally submitted as amendments within the EU legislative process.
The amendments have already been reviewed by the relevant committees of the European Parliament and are currently under consideration by EU member states, with further debate expected during Parliament’s September session.
If adopted, the changes would establish a fairer framework for applying CBAM to candidate countries undergoing both energy transition and EU accession, while protecting regional competitiveness, energy security and investment in renewable energy.
Šahmanović said the initiative demonstrates that the Western Balkans can influence European policy when acting together with clear proposals and shared priorities. He stressed that the objective is not to weaken the EU’s climate ambitions but to ensure that decarbonisation remains compatible with economic development and the stability of electricity systems throughout the region. Regional governments will continue engaging with EU institutions in the coming weeks as the legislative process advances.
