Ibrahimović with EU foreign ministers in Brussels: Montenegro strongly supports a merit-based enlargement policy

Montenegro strongly supports a merit-based enlargement policy, with a clear membership perspective and predictability of the process, announced Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, according to a statement from his department.

Today, he participated in an informal meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union member states and the Western Balkans, which was held on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.

"During an exchange of views dedicated to geopolitical challenges and the European perspective of the region, in the context of the repercussions of the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the Middle East crisis, Minister Ibrahimović said that the decisive implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the uncompromising application of sanctions, is the only and best path towards European unity and resilience. He stressed that the Western Balkans are an integral part of the European security area, and that regional stability remains a key prerequisite for democratic development and institutional resilience," they said.

They add that, in this context, he emphasized the importance of a credible and accelerated European Union enlargement policy, assessing it as the most effective instrument for preserving long-term stability, especially in circumstances of increased malignant external influences.

Ibrahimović pointed out that Montenegro strongly supports a merit-based enlargement policy, with a clear membership perspective and predictability of the process, recalling the main foreign policy goal - achieving full membership in the European Union by the end of 2028.

"Our European path has been marked by consistency, full compliance and commitment to reforms. As the most advanced candidate, we remain focused on concluding negotiations as soon as possible," the Minister said. Turning to regional cooperation, the Minister stressed that Montenegro remains committed to fostering good neighborly relations and supporting initiatives that enhance connectivity, economic integration and mutual trust in the Western Balkans, emphasizing that regional initiatives are not an alternative to European integration, but rather an important support for it.

"Our region has learned through experience that cooperation is not an option - it is a necessity," said Ibrahimović.

The ministry states that, during the meeting, Montenegro received strong support from the European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, as well as from all EU member states, for continuing reforms towards full membership, and its continued contribution to regional cooperation and stability was also praised.

"The intention of the member states to improve coordination in preventing and countering hybrid threats and malign activities by third parties was particularly emphasized. In this context, the growing importance of the Regional Center for Cybersecurity and Cyber ​​Capacity Development, headquartered in Podgorica, was emphasized as an important regional mechanism for strengthening resilience. On the sidelines of the meeting, Ibrahimović held several bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of the EU member states and countries in the region," the statement said.

In the second half of the day, they add, Ibrahimović will participate in a meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which will be held at the invitation of High Representative Kalas and Commissioner Kos.

"The meeting will be dedicated to strengthening international efforts aimed at finding, returning and reintegration of illegally deported Ukrainian children, as well as improving accountability mechanisms for crimes committed," the statement concluded.