Ibrahimović - Fajon: Slovenia strongly supports Montenegro's further EU integration, Development Cooperation Program for 2024-2025 signed

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović met today in Podgorica with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, who is visiting Montenegro on the occasion of the opening of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C).

The relations between Montenegro and Slovenia are traditionally friendly and substantial, and bilateral cooperation is developing on an upward trajectory, it was assessed at the meeting.

Ibrahimović thanked Slovenia for its continuous expert and political support for Montenegro's integration into the EU.

"Slovenia is our sincere friend and a country that has stood by Montenegro from the beginning of the integration processes. We are grateful for the comprehensive support for reforms that contribute to the development of our society and the approach to EU membership. Our goal is ambitious, but realistic. We are committed to achieving standards and fulfilling all the conditions before us, so that we can become an EU member by 2028," said Ibrahimović.

"Montenegro is an important and reliable partner, and Slovenia will continue to provide strong support on its European path," said Minister Fajon, assessing that positive progress has been made and significant progress has been achieved in the negotiation process.

Fajon emphasized that EU enlargement is in the interest of both candidate countries and the Union itself. "Montenegro is a leader in negotiations, and we want it to become a full member of the EU as soon as possible."

The conversation also addressed the importance of further strengthening regional stability and the potential for further improvement of bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of economy.

The heads of diplomacy of Montenegro and Slovenia also signed today in Podgorica the Development Cooperation Program between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the period 2024-2025, which plans for the Slovenian side to allocate support for projects worth over 2 million euros.