Montenegro is ready to take advantage of the historic moment and join the European Union, and the entire society should participate in that process, it was announced during the meeting of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić with diplomats from 27 EU member states who are on a two-day working visit to Montenegro. from the Ministry of European Affairs (MEP).
"Obtaining IBAR seemed like an insurmountable challenge for many previous governments. We managed it together, with your support. We know that this is a process that requires two parties and we really appreciate the great contribution you give us on a daily basis", Spajić said. .
Today in Podgorica, he received members of the Working Group of the EU Enlargement Council (COELA), with whom he exchanged opinions on the progress that Montenegro has achieved in the negotiation process and further obligations aimed at completing the process and joining the EU.
Spajić said that getting IBAR is just the beginning.
"We know that this is the minimum level for joining the EU. We are not satisfied with that. We are continuing with demanding reforms in chapters 23 and 24. You can count on Montenegro's full dedication to the rule of law, until the very end," Spajić said.
He announced that the Reform Agenda will be adopted soon.
"We set high standards, we set the bar high, because we are not afraid of challenges. We want all the people from the administration to understand that this is an achievable goal and that joining the EU is a reality," he said.
The Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, said that the Government, since taking office, has made exceptional progress in the accession negotiations, especially when it comes to meeting the temporary benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24.
She said to solve the most sensitive issues in the field of justice, which, as she pointed out, was a clear signal that Montenegro is determined to do everything necessary to speed up negotiations with the EU.
"Given that our assessment corresponds to the views of the European Commission, I can state that by the end of the year, Montenegro will be ready to close at least four negotiation chapters: 7 - Intellectual property law, 10 - Information society and media, 20 - Entrepreneurship and industrial policy and 31 – Foreign, security and defense policy", said Gorčević.
She said that 80 percent compliance with the common foreign and security policy, the use of the euro, XNUMX percent of public support for EU membership, NATO membership, the absence of open disputes with neighboring countries, the status of a leader in negotiations on EU accession, clearly show Montenegro's readiness. to become the next member state of the EU and thereby additionally contribute to further stability and stronger aspirations of the Western Balkan region towards the EU.
The newly appointed ambassador of the European Union in Montenegro, Johan Satler, pointed out the importance of the visits of COELE members to Montenegro.
"This visit is important for two main reasons. The first is that Montenegro has shown that it can progress. I was happy that I could see even before I arrived in Montenegro that you had passed the so-called IBAR test. IBAR on the rule of law, the judiciary and the very important laws that have been passed. That's why now is a good moment and I invite all decision-makers in the country, the Government, but also the opposition, because membership in the European Union is a process of the entire society, to take advantage of this moment. Another important thing is that the European Union is ready for new member states. My boss, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, talks about the historic call to complete the European Union. And that is something in which Montenegro can serve as an example," said Satler.
Hungarian Ambassador Jozef Neđeši said that the enlargement policy is one of the most successful policies of the EU and that it is crucial that it remains based on merit, that it is balanced and that it is credible.
Neđeši pointed out that Hungary provided support to Montenegro during its accession to NATO and that it strives to do so in the process of accession to the EU, which it will work on during its presidency of the Union.
"Montenegro wants to close numerous chapters during the Hungarian presidency. We can help Montenegro a lot in the coming period, however, you must know that this success can only be achieved together. The task and responsibility of Montenegrin politicians, the state and political leaders is to preserve the political stability that enables the EU to open its doors to Montenegro after a long series of years. It is important to show that Montenegro is a stable NATO member that treats EU accession as a national interest. I am asking you to be Hungary's partner in the EU presidency and ensure that Montenegro makes significant progress in the EU accession process," said Neđeši.
MEPs said that the representatives of the EU member states welcomed the results achieved by Montenegro during the previous year and conveyed "full support for the acceleration of reforms so that Montenegro fulfills all obligations and becomes the next member of the EU".
They pointed out that, in addition to technical and expert support, the Government and the negotiating structure can count on continued generous financial support from European funds and programs that will enable reforms to be implemented faster, more efficiently and with better quality and for citizens to feel the benefits of the European integration process.
They added that the representatives of the EU member states expressed their belief that the progress of Montenegro will be an incentive for other countries in the region to speed up their path towards the EU.
"Within two panels moderated by the chief negotiator Predrag Zenović, the members of the Government and the negotiating structure spoke with the members of the COELE. On the panel dedicated to the political aspect of the process, the representatives of the EU member states were spoken to by the Deputy Prime Ministers Filip Ivanović, Ervin Ibrahimović and Nik Đeljošaj, as and the Ministers of Justice and Internal Affairs, Bojan Božović and Danilo Šaranović. On the panel dedicated to the technical aspect of the negotiations, members of the negotiating structure, negotiators Bojana Bošković and Ivona Savićević, as well as the heads of the negotiating working groups: Nebojša Mugoša, Ružica Mišković, Maja Jokanović, Snežana Radović, Jelena Jovetić and Anđela Gajević," the announcement concludes.
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