Milatović: It is important that we put an end to the negative trends on the internal level that could threaten the European path

It is important to timely detect and stop negative trends on the internal level that could threaten our European path, announced the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović.

The Public Relations Office of the President of Montenegro announced that Milatović met with the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, and that the topic of the conversation was the country's further progress on the European path.

Milatović said that Montenegro is a positive story for both the EU and the region, which is why it is in mutual interest to accelerate the pace of closing chapters after the IBAR is obtained, necessary for the country to achieve its goal of becoming the 28th EU member state by 2028.

"By the end of the year, we expect to close four negotiation chapters, but Montenegro can and must do better if we want to fulfill our goal and close the remaining 2026 chapters by 30. We must not be satisfied with results that fall short of expectations, primarily of the citizens of our country. I am convinced that our country's membership in the EU would be an important positive signal for other candidate countries as well," Milatović pointed out.

He added that the constant presence of the EC and close cooperation in fulfilling specific obligations from the accession negotiations is necessary, so that during the process the essence is not neglected in the form of continuous strengthening of the rule of law and respect for democratic procedures.

"We do not want to undo the earlier achievements we reached during the process, and therefore it is important to detect and stop negative trends on the internal level in time that could threaten our European path," said the President of Montenegro.

The announcement adds that expressing satisfaction with the adoption of the Reform Agenda of Montenegro 2024-2027. for the EU Instrument for Reforms and Growth, Milatović assessed that the Growth Plan can present the citizens of our country in a tangible way with all the concrete advantages of the country's membership in the EU.

"Together with my team, I keep the focus on the EU agenda and use every opportunity to urge the relevant actors on the internal level to stay up to the task and to move away from worrisome practices. With the desire for Montenegro to take advantage of the current momentum of the enlargement policy, the temporary closure of four more chapters: 7 - Intellectual property law, 10 - Information society and media, 20 - Entrepreneurship and industrial policy, 31 - Foreign, security and defense policy, using the example of our country, I will show that the enlargement policy remains at the top of the EU agenda, and that the process expansion is alive and based on merit," said Milatović.

In the announcement, it is written that he thanked von der Leyen "for the support to Montenegro so far, as well as for all the united efforts on our European path that await us, guided by a common goal."