Ivanović, Photiou: Cyprus continues strong support for Montenegro’s European path

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met today with the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Montenegro, based in Belgrade, H.E. Andreas Photiou, ahead of the conclusion of Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

During the meeting, it was noted that Montenegro is making visible progress in the final phase of negotiations with the European Union, while emphasizing the importance of political support from EU member states in the process of closing negotiation chapters. Ivanović thanked Cyprus for its constructive engagement during its presidency of the Council of the EU, stating that Montenegro’s negotiation momentum had intensified further during that period. He expressed hope that additional negotiation chapters would be closed during the Cypriot presidency and voiced confidence that continued positive momentum could make it possible to close all chapters by the end of this year.

Ambassador Photiou welcomed the establishment of an ad hoc working party tasked with drafting Montenegro’s EU Accession Treaty, assessing that this step confirms the country’s institutional readiness and clear political commitment to achieving the strategic goal of EU membership by 2028. He reiterated Cyprus’s support for Montenegro’s European perspective, emphasizing that the progress achieved serves as encouragement for the broader European momentum in the Western Balkans region and further confirms the credibility of the EU enlargement policy. In that context, he also highlighted the importance of consistently continuing reforms, further strengthening institutions, and preserving regional stability. He additionally confirmed the attendance and participation of the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at the EU–Western Balkans Summit scheduled for 5 June.

The meeting also addressed opportunities for further enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, maritime affairs, and education, as well as strengthening ties between the business communities of the two countries. The interlocutors welcomed the growth of Cypriot investments in Montenegro and assessed that there is significant potential for intensifying economic cooperation in the coming period. It was also emphasized that continued substantive political dialogue and concrete joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest would further strengthen relations between Montenegro and Cyprus and contribute to achieving shared European goals.