Spajić, Costa: Montenegro is raising the bar in the European integration process

The coming year will be challenging in terms of European integration. The agenda is ambitious, but Montenegro has already demonstrated – through its own example – that it is raising the bar. This was the key message from the meeting between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and President of the European Council António Costa, who met today in Brussels to discuss the momentum of reforms and Montenegro’s next steps on its European path.

Prime Minister Spajić emphasized that Montenegro is strongly committed to implementing reforms that deliver tangible results and reaffirm the credibility of the country’s European trajectory. He noted that this has once again been confirmed through the appointments of the members of the Prosecutorial Council and the Vice-Governors of the Central Bank, demonstrating a broad consensus and political will among all actors to continue advancing toward the EU. When Montenegro makes a promise, it delivers, the Prime Minister underlined.

President of the European Council Antonio Costa welcomed the latest decisions and appointments adopted with broad parliamentary support, describing them as a strong indicator of unity and maturity of Montenegro’s political system. He emphasized that the Union closely follows and supports the reform processes that are bringing Montenegro closer to becoming a full-fledged member of the EU.

The two officials discussed the upcoming tasks and ambitious agenda for the pivotal year ahead – 2026 – highlighting that the support of the European Council and EU member states will be an important incentive for fulfilling the planned priorities.

Prime Minister Spajić stressed that Montenegro upholds European values and demonstrates that enlargement is possible. Montenegro remains a genuine leader in the region, determined to show through its own example that the EU’s enlargement to the Western Balkans is achievable.

Both sides agreed that the organization of the next EU–Western Balkans Summit, to be hosted by Montenegro, reflects the trust placed in the country and represents an excellent opportunity for Montenegro to reaffirm its role as a leader in the process of bringing the Western Balkans closer to the European Union.