President’s Office: The final stage of the process lies ahead, requiring political unity and the full commitment of all
We are now approaching the final stage of a process that has been ongoing for fourteen years. It requires responsibility, political unity and the full commitment of all state institutions - the Office of the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, stated.
The President’s Office welcomed yesterday’s closure of two more negotiating chapters, bringing Montenegro’s total number of provisionally closed chapters in its negotiations with the European Union to 23, stressing that this represents another significant achievement for the country and confirms that Montenegro’s European future is drawing ever closer.
- Congratulations are due to everyone whose work and dedication contributed to this result, particularly the negotiating teams, relevant institutions and civil servants. We also extend our gratitude to our European partners for their continued support - the President’s Office stated.
Each newly closed chapter confirms that Montenegro’s European future is drawing ever closer.
- Now it is important to maintain the pace of reforms, make full use of the support provided by our European partners and complete the work we have started. Our shared goal is for Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028 - the statement reads.
Since the beginning of his mandate, Milatović has strongly and consistently advocated for this goal, through intensive diplomatic engagement, direct talks with European leaders and initiatives aimed at securing political support for Montenegro’s membership in the European Union, the statement adds.
- From the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat to daily discussions with European officials and the initiative for the Accession Treaty to be signed during Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of next year, the President has been consistently working to ensure that Montenegro’s European perspective is given a concrete timeframe and strong international support - the President’s Office emphasised.
It also noted that the closure of chapters concerning the free movement of goods and food safety further confirms that European reforms must have a direct impact on citizens, domestic producers and the economy.
- It is particularly encouraging that the European Commission’s latest report confirms that Montenegro can complete the negotiation process by the end of this year, provided it continues implementing the necessary reforms. President Milatović will continue to actively contribute to achieving this historic national goal - the Office stated.
Montenegro, it added, has a unique opportunity to turn its European future into reality.
- Today, we are closer than ever. It is up to us to complete this task together - the President’s Office concluded.