Milatović is the first president since the restoration of independence to visit Ireland

The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, will pay an official visit to the Republic of Ireland on 25 and 26 February 2026, as part of intensified international activities aimed at accelerating Montenegro's European path and achieving the strategic goal - full membership in the European Union by 2028, Milatović's public relations office announced today.

As stated in the statement, this is the first official visit by a Montenegrin president to Ireland since the restoration of independence.

"During his visit to Dublin, President Milatović will meet with the President of the Republic of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, and Prime Minister Michail Martin. The talks will focus on the further dynamics of the negotiation process, the closure of the remaining chapters, and stronger political and institutional support for Montenegro in the final phase of accession," the statement said.

Milatović's office stressed that the visit comes at a particularly important political moment, given that the Republic of Ireland will preside over the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.

"Alongside the current Cypriot presidency, the Irish presidency will be one of the two key political windows of opportunity this year for a concrete step forward in the negotiation process and the closure of the remaining negotiation chapters. Montenegro enters this phase with a clear ambition to make 2026 the year of decisive progress, and 2028 the year of full membership. In this context, the support of the member states taking over the presidency of the Council of the EU is of strategic importance for the dynamics of the process and the political visibility of Montenegro's progress on the European agenda," the statement reads.

They also said that Milatović spoke with Prime Minister Martin on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in October 2025, when Ireland's strong and principled support for Montenegro's European perspective was confirmed, as well as its readiness to further strengthen bilateral relations in anticipation of the Irish presidency.

"In addition to the European agenda, the interlocutors will consider opportunities for improving bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on the economy, trade, investment and tourism, as well as on the exchange of experiences in the areas of digital transformation, sustainable development and strengthening competitiveness," the statement concludes.