Ivanović, Barrot: Enhancing cooperation in strategically important areas

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met today with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot, on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue 2025.

The two officials exchanged views on key issues of mutual interest, placing particular emphasis on Montenegro’s European integration process. Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović expressed gratitude for France’s continued and steadfast support for Montenegro’s EU perspective, as well as for the contribution of French experts within the Montenegrin administration, which further strengthens institutional capacities in the EU accession process.

Minister Barrot commended Montenegro’s progress on its European path, describing it as the most advanced candidate country for EU membership. In this context, he reiterated France’s readiness to provide additional support to Montenegro’s accession process—both politically and through expert engagement—with the aim of accelerating integration efforts.

The meeting also focused on comprehensive bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of defence, healthcare, energy, environmental protection, and the economy. Both sides noted that this is a period of intensified engagement between Montenegro and France, and expressed expectations that cooperation, especially in strategic sectors, would soon be formalized through appropriate legal frameworks.

The importance of establishing the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), headquartered in Podgorica, was also emphasized. The Centre represents a regional hub for knowledge and collaboration in cybersecurity, developed through the joint efforts of Montenegro, France, and Slovenia.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political dialogue and strengthening the strategic partnership between Montenegro and France.