The Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Filip Ivanović, held a meeting with the Managing Director for Europe at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Matti Maasikas, in Brussels.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović expressed his appreciation for the support that the EEAS extends to Montenegro on its journey toward EU membership. He highlighted Montenegro’s ambition to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2026 and to secure full EU membership by 2028, asserting its position as a frontrunner in the enlargement process.

Maasikas reiterated that Montenegro is acknowledged as a steadfast leader in the realm of European integration, with the EU firmly dedicated to assisting the country in reaching its goal of joining the Union by 2028.

The two officials discussed recent domestic and regional developments, as well as Montenegro’s forthcoming plans to finalize negotiation chapters.

Maasikas particularly commended Montenegro’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and the remarkable strides made in the past year, stressing the importance of a broad political consensus to maintain this forward momentum.