Ivanović – Byrne: Ireland a reliable partner and strong voice of support for Montenegro’s EU path

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met today with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Defence Thomas Byrne, who is visiting Montenegro as part of preparations for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović welcomed the visit of the Irish delegation, highlighting its significance in further strengthening bilateral ties and supporting Montenegro’s European agenda. He emphasized that Montenegro highly values Ireland’s support, both in the context of the upcoming presidency and throughout the ongoing EU accession negotiations.

In presenting the current status and dynamics of the negotiation process, Ivanović outlined the progress Montenegro has made in key areas such as the rule of law, combating organized crime and corruption, judicial reform, and institutional strengthening. He reaffirmed Montenegro’s firm commitment to closing all negotiation chapters by the end of 2026, stressing that EU integration remains the highest priority of the country’s foreign policy. He also underlined the importance of unified political support from all EU member states, expressing confidence that Montenegro, once it joins the Union, will be among the strongest advocates for further enlargement.

Byrne reaffirmed Ireland’s consistent and strong support for Montenegro’s European path, commending the country’s substantial progress and the positive direction of its reform process. He praised Montenegro’s full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and noted that the country already demonstrates the values it brings to the European Union. He added that EU enlargement benefits not only candidate countries, but the Union as a whole.

Sharing Ireland’s EU experience, Byrne outlined the numerous benefits EU membership has brought to his country, particularly in terms of economic development and enhanced international cooperation. He stressed that Ireland remains a reliable partner to Montenegro in the accession process, well beyond its EU Council Presidency.

The two officials also discussed concrete ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. Special attention was given to the potential introduction of a direct air connection between Ireland and Montenegro, as well as areas where Ireland could provide expertise and support during its presidency – particularly in the fields of rule of law, green transition, digitalisation, and administrative capacity-building.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović highlighted Montenegro’s considerable investment potential, especially in tourism, energy, information technologies, and the development of transport infrastructure, including highways and railways.

In the context of regional developments, the discussion touched on the broader challenges and prospects of EU integration for the Western Balkans. Ivanović reiterated Montenegro’s support for all countries aspiring to join the European Union, while underscoring the importance of a merit-based approach.

Both sides agreed that Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović’s upcoming visit to Ireland will serve as an excellent opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote Montenegro as a reliable and responsible partner.

It was concluded that Montenegro possesses a stable political framework, a clear reform trajectory, and strong public support for European integration – making it a credible candidate and trustworthy partner on its path to EU membership.