Ibrahimović: Closing new negotiation chapters confirms that Montenegro is decisively moving towards EU membership

Today's provisional closure of two negotiation chapters is a strong indicator of Montenegro's progress on its path towards membership in the European Union (EU), assessed Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović.

This was announced by his department.

"Today's result confirms that Montenegro remains a leader in European integration in the region and that it is achieving measurable results through consistent reforms. With the closure of chapters 2 and 28, Montenegro now has a total of 16 provisionally closed negotiation chapters, which brings us even closer to achieving the strategic goal - the successful completion of the negotiation process," said Ibrahimović.

He emphasized that the special value of today's success is the fact that progress is being made in areas that have a direct impact on the daily lives of citizens, their rights, protection and opportunities brought by membership in the European Union.

"This is not just a negotiating success. This is confirmation that European standards are becoming part of our everyday lives and that the reforms we are implementing are bringing concrete benefits to the citizens of Montenegro," he said.

As he said, the achieved results provide additional reasons for optimism regarding the further course of negotiations.

"The progress we have made, as well as the high level of fulfillment of the final benchmarks in the remaining chapters, confirm that our European agenda is based on results, not promises. From Luxembourg today, we send a clear message that Montenegro is responsibly implementing its commitments, remains a reliable partner of the European Union and continues to deliver concrete results on the path to membership," said Ibrahimović.

He thanked the European Union member states for their continued support for the enlargement policy and the European perspective of Montenegro, with special thanks to Cyprus, which holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

"I would like to express my special gratitude to Cyprus, as the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, for its strong support for the enlargement policy and the European perspective of Montenegro. Their commitment to the enlargement process and their active role in leading the European agenda have contributed to achieving today's result and the further progress of our country towards membership in the European Union," he said.

Ibrahimović congratulated all institutions and negotiating structures that participated in the preparation and closing of Chapters 2 and 28.

"This success is the result of the dedicated work of numerous individuals and institutions. I thank everyone who contributed to today's result with their knowledge, professionalism and dedication. I am convinced that Montenegro, by its example, confirms the strength and credibility of the enlargement policy, not only for our country but also for the Western Balkans region," Ibrahimović concluded.