Gorčević and Haddad: Montenegro and France Join Forces for the Successful Completion of Accession Negotiations

Montenegro’s Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, and the Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Benjamin Haddad, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Cetinje between the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic regarding the enlargement of the European Union and raising awareness about Montenegro’s path toward the European Union.

By signing the Memorandum, the two countries confirmed their shared commitment to Montenegro’s European future and to further strengthening cooperation in promoting the European Union enlargement process.

The document establishes a framework for joint action aimed at strengthening public awareness and understanding in the French Republic of the importance of Montenegro’s accession to the European Union, as well as the benefits that enlargement brings to the European project as a whole.

Minister Gorčević assessed that the signing of the Memorandum represents an important step in further strengthening the partnership between Montenegro and France.

“France is one of our most important partners on our European path, and I would like to express gratitude for the continuous support it provides to Montenegro. By signing this memorandum, we are sending a clear message that the enlargement policy is one of the key policies of the European Union, but also that Montenegro remains the candidate country most prepared for membership,” Gorčević said.

She emphasized that the Memorandum is of particular importance because it recognizes the need to bring Montenegro’s European path closer not only to institutions, but also to the citizens of the European Union member states.

“As we approach the final phase of accession negotiations, it is important that the results of the reforms Montenegro is achieving are presented even more strongly in the member states. This memorandum provides a framework for more intensive cooperation with French institutions, parliamentarians, the academic community, the media, the business sector, and civil society, so that together we can build broader public support for Montenegro’s future membership in the European Union,” the minister said.

The activities will be implemented through a joint action plan, with the support of the embassies of the two countries.

“This is an investment in Montenegro’s European future, but also in strengthening the ties between our countries. I believe that the activities we will implement in the coming years will contribute to a better understanding of the importance of enlargement and further strengthen support for Montenegro’s membership in the European Union,” Gorčević concluded.

The Memorandum was signed for a period of three years, with the possibility of extension, and represents a new framework for advancing French-Montenegrin cooperation in the European integration process.