Address by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić at the press conference following EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference

Thank you Commissioner Kos,

Thank you Deputy Minister Raouna,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Esteemed members of the media,

Today's IGC marks an important milestone as we heard from the Commissioner for Montenegro. We have provisionally closed Chapter 32, Financial Control, which is part of Cluster 1 and is another fundamental chapter. Why is it important? Because last year we closed Chapter 5, which was also, and that's how we started the year, 2025, very successful year for EU integrations, so we expect that this year is going to be even more successful starting off with closing another fundamental chapter.

That is 13th chapter out of 33 and that marks 40 percent of the total chapters that need to be closed. It's pretty impressive to see that because, as we said, as you might know, that our Government started with 8 or 9 percent and now we are at 40 percent and you can see in just two years how big result was made.

We are opening what will be the most decisive year of Montenegro's European path and 20 years of regaining independence on the 21st of May this year.

Over the past period, the Government has intensively worked on reforms across all the remaining chapters. As a result, we are confident and ready to complete the entire negotiation process within the following 12 months.

I congratulate the Ministers of Finance, European Affairs and Foreign Affairs and everybody else who has contributed for this amazing result.

To our European partners, it's a privilege to begin the Cypriot Presidency, and thank you so much Cyprus, with the concrete success to confirm our shared vision of a stronger united European Union built through enlargement based on real reforms and merit.

Today's conference once again proves that full membership EU accession has no shortcuts. Progress comes only through discipline, responsibility and clear results.

I thank all member states for their unanimous support in closing this very demanding chapter.

By supporting enlargement grounded in European values, today's leaders have the opportunity to strengthen the Union's credibility and leadership.

At a time of global uncertainty, the European Union remains a pillar of peace, democracy, cooperation, rule of law and its enlargement policy is its strongest proof.

The pace at which Montenegro is closing chapters clearly shows that the EU enlargement is alive and regaining momentum.

Dear Europeans,

There is no greater ideal than a united Europe.

Montenegro is moving toward that goal with confidence.

Our country is becoming more stable, more determined and more reformed every single day that passes, ready to fully embrace and add value and contribute to a strong and united Union.

Thank you very much.