Von der Leyen: Joining the EU by 2028 is a very ambitious goal, but achievable

"In order to get this train moving, we need to slightly increase the working temperature, increase the positive pressure on all parties to do their part in the parliament, in order to close 26 negotiation chapters by the end of 2026 and become 28 members of the EU (European Union) by 2028."

This is what the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, said today in Podgorica, after a meeting with the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen.

At a joint press conference with the head of the EC, he announced that in less than a year, Montenegro managed to realize a lot of things in the negotiations with the EU, and to show that, as he said, it is truly committed to the European path.

"We received the IBAR (Interim Benchmark Assessment Report) in June, that was a big step. We also have a Growth Plan, which is very optimistic but realistic. Also, we had an application for SEPA (Single Euro Payment Area) , and we hope that Montenegrin entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to connect better with companies and the banking system in the EU... The growth plan is very ambitious not only because of the money we will receive from the EU, but because it is a signal to investors from the EU that Montenegro is ready for business, that it is ready to attract serious investors from all member states. That's why we will seriously cooperate with the Commission, we will have an investment conference... In order to start this train, we have to increase the working temperature a little, increase the positive pressure on all parties to do their part in the parliament, so that we can close 26 negotiation chapters by the end of 2026 and become 28 EU members by 2028," said Spajić.

The Prime Minister said that, despite the results, even more work must now be done, and that the next two years are "crucially important for the European future of Montenegro". In order for Montenegro to get closer to the EU, he says, the support of the whole society, all parties, all parliamentary actors is needed...

"We all want to close all negotiation chapters by the end of 2026. It is a very ambitious goal, but it is possible to achieve it. The government will therefore present a platform in the next few days - 'barometer 26'," he announced at a press conference in Villa "Gorica".

Von der Leyen assessed that Montenegro has made great progress on the path to EU accession, that the goals presented by Spajić are ambitious, but can be achieved.

"Everything we have achieved in previous years is the result of very intensive work and efforts of the entire state. I think you have good reason to be proud of what you have achieved, and now we are closing chapter after chapter. Four chapters could be closed this year. You can achieve everything if the focus on accession is maintained and if all political forces gather around the same goal," she said, adding that EU enlargement will also be "at the very top of the agenda" during her (second) mandate as head of the EC.

Speaking about the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, i.e. about the financial package of the EU for the countries of the region, Von der Leyen said that Montenegro did an excellent job in relation to the Reform Agenda, which defined the program of reforms that the state must implement in order to receive money from the Plan.

"We should now be able to approve refinancing of 27 million euros for Montenegro by the end of the year. In total, Montenegro will receive about 380 million euros under the Growth Plan. You are well on your way to becoming part of the single European payment area." she stated.

Von der Leyen: The tone of the EC report will be positive

When asked by journalists that Spajić's goals are realistic for Montenegro to close the negotiation chapters by 2026 and become a member of the EU by 2028, the president of the EC replied that it is a "very ambitious goal", but that it is achievable.

"I want to say clearly - we are with you, we support you as much as we can through advisory assistance and guidance in reforms, we emphasize what is necessary, this is followed by the necessary investments in order to bring the EU and Montenegro into line. The conditions are clear. There is significant progress that has been achieved in Montenegro, which we have witnessed since last year, I am impressed by the speed and quality of how Montenegro is progressing. The whole process is based on merit and depends on the progress that Montenegro is making," said Von der Leyen.

She added that "the tone compared to last year's work is very positive", and that this will be seen in the EC's annual report, which should be presented next week.

To the same question, Spajić answered by saying that the reforms are very demanding, and that they will be especially so next year (2025).

"We will not close many chapters that year. I think we will formally close them in 2026, but the key part of the work awaits us during 2024 and 2025. That is where the executive and parliament must work at full steam and be fully aligned to achieve this ambitious goal. We do not have time to lose, and that's why we need the 'Barometer 26' initiative," he added.

Spajić: The census showed that we have matured as a society

On the questions of whether, and if so to what extent, the goals set by Montenegro will be affected by the identity issues raised these days (the issue of language and dual citizenship), and the disagreement in the Government, primarily in relation to the Coalition for the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) - Deputy Prime Minister Nik Đeljošaj, and whether he discussed the standardization of the Serbian language as an official language and dual citizenship with one of the leaders of the ZBCG Andrija Mandić, Spajić did not directly answer.

He said that last year Montenegro was in a difficult position because of the population census, the implementation of which was delayed for several years and which is a "polarizing topic". He stated that all parties accepted the recently presented results of that process, and that it was an "unprecedented event in Montenegrin history".

"It is an example that as a society we have progressed and matured. If you really want to become a member of the EU, you have to face polarizing issues in a European way. We have to be inclusive, we have to consult all important players, all political forces in the country, and all decisions they must be brought in an inclusive and comprehensive manner," he said.

Von der Leyen said that identity issues - national issues are important, and that she has nothing to say about that.

"It is important to focus on essential issues in order to achieve ambitious goals," she stated.