DPM Ivanović participates in international conference Western Balkans First Series

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović participated in the second session of the Western Balkans First Series, a high-level conference exploring the strategic, political, and social dynamics shaping Europe today. The conference was organized by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in partnership with Modul University Vienna.

During his address, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović emphasized Montenegro’s strong commitment to the European path and its clear vision of full membership in the European Union.

He underlined that Montenegro is determined to complete the negotiation process by 2026 and be ready for membership by 2028 – the country’s highest national priority, strongly supported by exceptionally high public approval.

He particularly stressed that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Montenegro’s European future, noting that the Government is fully dedicated to strengthening institutional resilience, transparency, and accountability. This commitment, he pointed out, has been confirmed through significant progress in Chapters 23 and 24, where Montenegro received a positive IBAR, becoming the first candidate country to achieve this milestone.

Ivanović expressed his expectation that Montenegro will close several additional chapters by the end of the year, further accelerating the EU accession process.

He highlighted that Montenegro’s progress sends a positive signal to the entire Western Balkans region, reaffirming that the enlargement policy remains credible and merit-based.

Enlargement must happen now – starting with Montenegro. If it does not, the credibility of the European Union itself could be called into question, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović stated.

In addition to Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović, the panel featured Miroslav Gačević, Assistant Minister in of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia; Marija Risteska, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM); and Miša Đurković, Head of the MCC–MKI Center for Geopolitics.

Concluding his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović reiterated Montenegro’s clear goal to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028.