Spajić, Kos: A historic year for Montenegro and the EU

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić met today in Davos with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who announced during the meeting her official visit to Montenegro as early as February.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the pace of Montenegro’s reforms and the implementation of measures and projects under the Growth Plan, and announced the continuation of the closure of negotiating chapters as early as next week.

This refers to Chapter 32 – Financial Control, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance. Prime Minister Spajić and Commissioner Kos agreed that, in this year, full commitment by both Montenegro and the European Union is essential in order for the negotiating process to be completed as planned, that is, by the end of 2026.

The Prime Minister stated that Montenegrin negotiating teams are working diligently on each of the remaining 21 chapters to be closed, and that extraordinary sessions of Parliament will follow in this regard.

As highlighted during the meeting, particular focus is being placed on Chapters 23 and 24, where, among other things, continuous work is underway to complete the process of judicial appointments.

As Prime Minister Spajić emphasized, while marking 20 years since the restoration of independence, Montenegro will this year host a number of international activities – it is chairing the Berlin Process, the Western Balkans Fund and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and on 5 June it will host the EU–Western Balkans Summit.

Prime Minister Spajić and Commissioner Kos particularly underscored the importance of sending a clear political signal from the EU to the region, in order for the enlargement process to remain credible and measurable.

In this context, it was concluded that Montenegro can count on continuous and intensive dialogue and support from the EU and its Member States in implementing reforms and accelerating the process of closing negotiating chapters, and that through joint efforts Montenegro will serve as a successful example of European integration in the Western Balkans.