The Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović held a meeting at the Parliament of Estonia with Peeter Tali, Chairman of the Estonia–Montenegro Parliamentary Friendship Group. Their conversation centered on enhancing bilateral relations and reaffirming Montenegro’s commitment to its European aspirations.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović reiterated that EU membership remains Montenegro’s foremost foreign policy objective, noting the ambition to conclude all negotiation chapters by 2026, paving the way for full membership by 2028. He conveyed that his visit to Estonia was aimed at further solidifying political ties via tangible cooperation and reconfirming Estonia’s steadfast support for Montenegro’s European journey. Expressing gratitude for this ongoing assistance, he looked forward to its continuation throughout the upcoming stages of accession negotiations.

Ivanović updated Tali on the negotiation progress, highlighting the chapters that have been successfully closed and outlining plans for further reforms. He stressed the significant public backing for EU membership among Montenegrin citizens and the consensus on European integration across all parliamentary factions in Montenegro.

Tali commended Montenegro’s advancements in the accession process, characterizing the milestones as remarkable. He reaffirmed Estonia’s strong advocacy for EU enlargement and expressed confidence that Montenegro will soon join the Union. Tali emphasized Estonia’s willingness to share its accession experiences and continue offering support to Montenegro.

The officials also exchanged views on regional and global issues, affirming shared values and objectives within the European and Euro-Atlantic communities. Special emphasis was placed on Montenegro’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.

During his visit to Estonia, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović also explored the e-Estonia Briefing Centre, gaining insights into how digital transformation has positioned Estonia as a global leader in this arena. He emphasized Montenegro’s goal to adopt best practices and noted that Estonia’s experience could greatly aid in enhancing digital services and institutional efficiency.

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović met with Hannes Astok, Executive Director and Chairman of the Management Board at the e-Governance Academy (eGA), along with his team. They discussed eGA’s activities in Montenegro, with eGA representatives expressing their readiness to broaden cooperation and share their expertise in Montenegro’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.

While in Tallinn, Ivanović also met with representatives from the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, discussing potential collaborations to connect Montenegrin and Estonian companies in the realms of digital innovation, telecommunications, and IT solutions, as well as exploring opportunities for Estonian firms in the Montenegrin market.