PM Abazović meets European Council President Charles Michel

I think that everyone in Montenegro should be very optimistic. The door of the EU is open for Montenegro. I think that Montenegro must not miss this opportunity. Therefore, I appeal to all political entities to put the national interest first, said Prime Minister Dritan Abazović following his meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Prime Minister Abazović and Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Policy, European Integration and Regional Cooperation and Minister for European Affairs Jovana Marović are paying a working visit to Brussels, where they will have meetings with top EU officials.

Congratulations on the strong pro-EU agenda of the new government. Montenegro has shown that it stands with the EU on sanctions against Russia and the EU will stand with Montenegro, Michel tweeted.

European Council President Michel pointed out that the European Council is grateful to Montenegro for the implementation of European foreign policy and that the EU is more unified than ever due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. He called on Montenegro to continue implementing reforms, which he said were necessary not only for EU membership, but also for the well-being and prosperity of Montenegrin society.

It is necessary to preserve the stability of the Western Balkans region in the new geopolitical landscape, and Montenegro can play a constructive role in that, Michel said during a meeting with Prime Minister Abazović.

The Prime Minister Abazović stated that the main objective of Government's foreign policy is significant progress on the path to full membership in the EU, by closing the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24.

Montenegro is not looking for shortcuts for membership, but expects unreserved support from the EU after the positive changes regarding justice and the rule of law in our country, which are happening and which will happen in the next few months, said PM Abazović.

Abazović stressed the importance of a political consensus that will result in making at least one of the most important decisions regarding the unblocking of the system by 30 June, and that Montenegro obtains final benchmarks during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The Prime Minister said that Montenegro shares EU values and that as a leader in European integration it strives to be an example to the countries of the Western Balkans, promoting European values and advocating the integration of all countries in the region into the EU.