Macron: You have support for the final round of negotiations with the EU

France stands by Montenegro and continues to support it in the final phase of its accession process to the European Union (EU), the French President said yesterday from Cetinje. Emanuel Macron, who was on an official visit to Montenegro.

This is the first visit by a French president to Montenegro in its history, which is why Montenegrin officials particularly emphasized the significance of Macron's arrival.

"This is a great day for Montenegro and French-Montenegrin friendship," said the head of state. Jakov Milatovic, who held a press conference with Macron in Cetinje.

Milatović said that relations between the two countries have a depth that is not measured solely by the diplomatic calendar.

"Diplomatic relations between our countries were established immediately after the recognition of Montenegro at the Berlin Congress (in 1878). France was among the first to recognize the independence of Montenegro," he recalled.

Milatović stated that today, when Montenegro is closest to EU membership, France's support is of great value, adding that the country's goal is to be the next member of that community in 2028 and expressing his confidence that this goal will soon be achieved with France's support.

Macron said that Montenegro had managed to do a great job in negotiations with the EU, saying that he believed in the unification of Europe.

"I think this is a great opportunity for the Western Balkans region and all of Europe," he said.

Macron said that France remains with Montenegro to support it in the final phase towards membership in the Union.

"I want to salute the great work you have done together with the Prime Minister and the Government. You have achieved reforms, you have closed all those chapters. I believe that Europe should be united, France remains by your side to support you," he stressed.

When asked by journalists whether the elections in France next year and other EU member states could affect Montenegro's membership in that community, Macron replied that he could not predict the results of the elections, and that it was important for Montenegro to continue reforms and contacts with all political actors and members.

"But it's important that you believe in yourself," said the French president.

Milatović replied by saying that "we believe in ourselves."

"I believe in Montenegro as the 28th member of the EU in 2028. We have done a lot," he said.

The President of Montenegro added that the country has gained the trust of all member states and that today's EU-Western Balkans summit, which is being held in Tivat, is a signal of that trust.

"I am certain that this summit is a kind of political turning point and a seal that we receive from the most important partners from the EU who believe in our success," Milatović said.

Several agreements signed

During Macron's visit, representatives of the Montenegrin and French authorities signed in Cetinje - in the presence of the French President and the Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić - several agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding regarding a joint strategy aimed at raising awareness of EU enlargement.

The memorandum was initialed by the Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Benjamin Hadad.

The Government announced that the document confirmed "the strong commitment of the two countries to the European future of Montenegro and to further strengthening cooperation in promoting the EU enlargement process."

The contract for the design and construction of a new university clinical center in Podgorica was signed by the Minister of Public Works Majda Adzović and Deputy CEO of Bouygues Batiment Internationel Kristof Peti.

"This is one of the largest healthcare infrastructure projects in the country, worth at least 313 million euros, and is expected to be completed in 2031," the executive branch said.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the A2-2 section of the Adriatic-Ionian Road was signed by Milan Ljiljanic, general director of Monteput, and Benoa Lanž, Development Director of Bouygues Travaux Public.

The Government explained that with this document, the two parties agree to cooperate on the preparation of a feasibility study for the project and further steps in accordance with the study, based on the signed intergovernmental agreement.

"The A2-2 highway section, as part of the Adriatic-Ionian Highway, is one of the key components of the Master Plan for Strategic Highways of Montenegro," the Government emphasized.

An annex to the Framework Agreement on a non-binding credit line between the French Development Agency (AFD) and Montenegro and a confirmation of the second approved loan between AFD and Montenegro in the amount of 100 million euros were also signed. The signatories are Novica Vuković, Minister of Finance of Montenegro, and Bertran Valkener, Deputy Director General of AFD.

As explained by the executive branch, the second tranche of the arrangement represents a continuation of the cooperation established in 2024, when a loan arrangement was concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AFD to support reforms in the field of environment and climate change, in the amount of 50 million euros.

The new arrangement supports the further implementation of reforms aimed at improving waste management, developing renewable energy sources, sustainable forest management, reducing pollution and strengthening climate resilience, in line with the commitments that Montenegro is undertaking in the EU accession process, the Government said.

The tripartite partnership agreement was signed by Vladimir Ivanovic, Executive Director of the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System (CEDIS), Deputy Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Bertran Valkener and CEO of EDF IN Sebastien Ruiz.

This agreement, as stated by the Government, establishes strategic technical cooperation aimed at modernizing the distribution electricity network in Montenegro and strengthening capacities for energy transition.

"The agreement was concluded within the framework of the AFD's FEXTE technical assistance program, and the total value of grant support amounts to up to 290.000 euros, with the possibility of additional support for the preparation of future investment activities," the Government announced.

The partnership will, they added, provide CEDIS with access to the expertise of the EDF Group in the field of distribution system management, while the implementation of the project will contribute to increasing the reliability and efficiency of the electricity distribution system for the benefit of the citizens and economy of Montenegro.

"The signed agreements in the fields of health, finance, infrastructure, energy and strategic communication are the result of establishing strategic cooperation and implementing the Agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the Republic of France, signed in 2025," the executive branch recalled.

The place of the Western Balkans is in the EU

After signing the agreement, Macron said that the Western Balkan countries have a natural place in the EU, and that Montenegro has taken that path responsibly and decisively in recent years.

"I know you will continue to work hard. We will be there with you to finish all this," Macron said.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that Montenegro and France are strengthening their strategic partnership and building a European future together.

He said that the two countries are opening a new chapter in their relations. He pointed out that Montenegro has not built a single hospital in 50 years, and that the university hospital will be the most modern in the Balkans.

"We have opened a range of cooperation that was impossible to imagine two years ago," said Spajić.