Spajić, Várhelyi: EU doors wide open, Montenegro ready to seize the opportunity

The doors of the European Union are wide open and Montenegro is ready to seize this opportunity, was the message from the meeting between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi.

Both parties assessed that, after just four months of the 44th Government's mandate and based on the achievements, conditions are being created for closing the interim benchmarks, which is the goal of both Montenegro and the European Union.

Commissioner Várhelyi emphasised that Montenegro is the most advanced candidate, and the expectation of all within the European Union is to take a step forward, to which the European Commission is strongly committed.

The message is very clear: the doors of the European Union are wide open. Montenegro is the candidate that has made the most progress, despite missing certain opportunities in recent years. Now is the opportunity to make up for that. The stance of the European Commission is clear: if you are ready and if you are achieving results, it is time for the next phase of integration, closing chapters to become an EU member, highlighted Várhelyi, adding that the new Growth Plan has been devised as a new mechanism of support in preparation for membership.

The Prime Minister expressed readiness to take additional and decisive steps towards EU membership. Political consensus and readiness for progress on the integration path guarantee that desired reforms will continue.

Prime Minister Spajić also emphasised that the firm support and encouragement from Brussels are incentives to move even more strongly towards the EU.

He stated that, at this moment, the goal is to prepare legislative solutions, which are a crucial prerequisite for progress in Chapters 23 and 24.

I expect that we will have clear progress in March regarding the drafting of key laws and strategies in the field of justice. The drafting of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, completion of a set of media laws, and other remaining activities leading to the fulfillment of interim benchmarks. Montenegro is encouraged by the positive momentum; this is an opportunity we must not miss, emphasised Spajić.

The officials agreed that the Growth Plan is a significant opportunity for the integration of Western Balkan countries into the single European market.

Montenegro, the Prime Minister stated, has the ambition to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) as soon as possible, which, it is assessed, will bring significant benefits to citizens and the economy.

The meeting was attended by Ministers Maida Gorčević, Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, Filip Radulović, and Saša Mujović.