- Government of Montenegro
Closing chapters: Next major milestone for Montene...
Closing chapters: Next major milestone for Montenegro and EU enlargement process
Montenegro's dedication to EU integration is transforming the entire enlargement process, as concluded during a meeting in Brussels between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and the European Commission's Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman.
It was emphasised that the positive momentum must be maintained to meet the high expectations that the European Commission has for Montenegro.
No chapters have been closed in a long time, so this could be the next big news for Montenegro and the entire enlargement process. It is important to continue with dedicated efforts so that by the end of the year, we can close four chapters and continue making significant progress. The Growth Plan is truly a great opportunity for Montenegrin citizens to feel the concrete benefits of reforms, stated Director-General Koopman.
During the talks, it was noted that the strong commitment of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen serves as an additional impetus to work even harder to meet the requirements of the EU agenda.
The Growth Plan also serves as extra motivation, as it will bring direct benefits to citizens in the near future.
It is now crucial to maintain strong momentum through cooperation with Parliament and the full contribution of the ruling majority, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to European integration. We are aware that we have raised expectations, and I am confident that all government stakeholders will agree that we must continue delivering results from the EU agenda, as this is what our citizens expect from us, emphasised Prime Minister Spajić.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that the European Commission will now focus particularly on processes that will improve the standard of living for Montenegrin citizens and promote economic convergence.
Therefore, it is crucial to meet the first task, which is to close several chapters by the end of 2024, in order to organise the next Intergovernmental Conference during Hungary's EU Presidency.
