Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Filip Ivanović, wrapped up his official visit to Brussels with a meeting involving members of the Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU (COELA). This meeting, which took place in Brussels, also saw the participation of representatives from the European Commission, the EU Council, and the European External Action Service.

During his three-day working visit, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović stressed that the main goal was to reaffirm Montenegro’s strategic commitment to achieving full EU membership. He highlighted the country’s appreciation for the support from EU member states, which is vital for successfully reaching the ambitious yet attainable target of completing the negotiation process with the EU by the end of 2026.

Throughout the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović shared an overview of the political landscape in Montenegro, underlining the necessity for all societal stakeholders to stay focused on advancing reforms and meeting obligations on the road to EU accession. He also addressed the political dimensions of the negotiation timeline and the tangible benefits that Montenegrin citizens will enjoy upon fulfilling these commitments.

Members of COELA praised Montenegro’s achievements in the EU integration process thus far and expressed their hope that the country will be able to close the remaining negotiation chapters in accordance with the ambitious yet realistic plan established with the European Commission. They underscored that Montenegro’s complete alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy serves as a clear testament to its strong pro-European stance. They concurred that achieving the full operational capacity of all institutions is critical for maintaining, building upon, and ultimately completing the progress made over the past year, paving the way for Montenegro’s forthcoming EU membership.