Ivanović and Albares: Spain reaffirms strong support for Montenegro’s EU path

On the second day of his official visit to Madrid, Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain José Manuel Albares.

In a friendly and open atmosphere, Minister Albares emphasized that Montenegro and Spain share the same values and expressed his eagerness to strengthen bilateral relations. Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović highlighted the excellent relations between the two countries, noting that there is room to further deepen cooperation across various sectors.

Reaffirming that full membership in the European Union remains Montenegro’s number one foreign policy priority, Ivanović reiterated the country's firm commitment to achieving this goal by 2028—an ambitious yet realistic timeline. In that context, he expressed hope that Spain will continue to be a strong advocate of EU enlargement and a steadfast supporter of Montenegro’s European aspirations.

During the meeting, Ivanović briefed Minister Albares on the progress Montenegro has made in its EU accession process, underscoring the country’s full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as the consistently high public support for EU membership.

Albares positively assessed Montenegro's progress in its accession process, particularly the steady pace of reforms and the country’s commitment to aligning with European standards. "Spain is a firm supporter of Montenegro’s accession to the European Union, and we trust that this process will be completed with your country’s membership in 2028," the Spanish minister stated.

The two officials also exchanged views on current regional and global developments, discussing Montenegro’s role as a reliable and stabilizing partner in international affairs. Cooperation within NATO was another topic of discussion, with both sides acknowledging the strength of the partnership and expressing readiness to enhance it further.

Bilateral relations were assessed as very positive, with Minister Albares noting the potential for expanding political dialogue and cooperation. Special attention was given to strengthening economic ties, particularly in light of growing opportunities for Spanish investment in Montenegro and joint initiatives in various fields.

They also discussed the potential for opening a Cervantes Institute in Montenegro, reflecting the shared interest in fostering cultural and educational exchange.

Looking ahead, the officials acknowledged the upcoming celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, to be marked in 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović extended an invitation to Minister Albares to visit Montenegro, noting that such a visit would give a strong impetus to deepening bilateral ties and political cooperation.

Ahead of the meeting, Ivanović and Albares signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries for the development of the greater collaboration in the area of European integration. The signing of this Memorandum sends a clear message of Spain’s strong commitment to supporting Montenegro’s EU path and of Montenegro’s readiness to strengthen its institutions and administrative capacity through a productive partnership with an EU member state.