Prime Minister Spajić meets with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella

Mattarella: Montenegro’s progress is good news for the region and even better for Europe

Montenegro is now at full strength, and that is good news for the region and even better for Europe. I want you to know that the Italian Republic firmly stands by Montenegro on its European path, stated President of Italy Sergio Mattarella during his official visit to Montenegro, where he met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. 

Prime Minister Spajić briefed President Mattarella on the Government’s ongoing reform efforts aimed at meeting the criteria for EU membership. In this context, Spajić emphasized the importance of bilateral support from EU member states and highlighted the potential for strengthening relations with Italy in key areas such as energy, infrastructure, tourism, and transportation. 

Progress on the path to EU membership goes hand in hand with an uncompromising fight against organized crime and corruption. In this regard, our cooperation with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza is of paramount importance for establishing Montenegro’s new Financial Police. We are adopting the best practices because we want to build a system that guarantees the rule of law for all our citizens, Spajić stated. 

President Mattarella reaffirmed Italy’s unwavering support for Montenegro, commending the Government’s efforts to accelerate its European agenda. He noted that Montenegro’s progress under the 44th Government serves as an encouragement for the entire Western Balkans and a boost to the EU’s enlargement policy. 

We are pleased to witness your achievements, Prime Minister. Montenegro is proof that a country’s success is not defined by its size but by its dynamism. Montenegro is now at full strength, and that is good news for the region and even better for Europe, President Mattarella remarked. 

The two leaders exchanged views on the challenges of European integration, agreeing that this is a crucial moment for all societal actors to focus on the future and the existing potential, in which, as they emphasized, everyone can find their interest. 

During the meeting, it was confirmed that Prime Minister Spajić’s upcoming visit to Italy, scheduled for 15 April 2025, will be an opportunity to strengthen economic cooperation, as there is significant potential for further collaboration. Both sides agreed that this visit will provide a platform for discussions on concrete projects that will further connect the two countries.