Frieden: We see that Montenegro has made enormous progress, reform efforts must be recognized and rewarded

We see that Montenegro has made enormous progress internally and on its path towards Europe. These reform efforts must be recognized and rewarded, said Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden.

As announced by the Government of Montenegro, Frieden said this after a meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart Milojko Spajić.

"For us, Europe is stronger, safer and more prosperous if a country like Montenegro joins the European Union. Of course, all conditions must be met, but we are very positive that you will manage to complete the negotiations in the coming months. We would be very pleased to see Montenegro as the 28th member state of the European Union in 2028," said Frieden.

During the press conference, which was held after the meeting of the two officials at the headquarters of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Prime Minister Frieden said that membership is not a gift to Montenegro, but that it makes the European family stronger, safer and better, and that, as he said, is also in the interest of Luxembourg.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Spakjić thanked Luxembourg for its support for the European path and emphasized that Montenegro is aware of the demanding nature of the process but is ready to respond and deliver results.

"We do not want to join the European Union just for the sake of joining. We want to add value and I am confident that with your support and that of our partners, we will close all chapters by the end of 2026 so that the European Union can celebrate a new member state in 2028," said Spajić.

When asked by a journalist about the non-paper on enlargement policy, which, among other things, provides for limited voting rights for new members, Frieden said that when Montenegro becomes a full member, it should also have full voting rights.

"And we do not think that in the case of Montenegro, at the end of the negotiations, new conditions should be added."

As stated by the Government, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg explained that the most important part of the document relates to guaranteeing respect for the rule of law and the need to ensure that new member states fully comply with all rules concerning the legal environment, judicial independence and the rule of law.

"In this regard, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić reminded that Montenegro has come a long way in terms of European integration and that it is very important that it receives the necessary support in this regard. However, as he pointed out, it is necessary to prevent everything that we do not want to happen in the future," the statement reads.

Spajić pointed out that "the regression of the rule of law is something we don't want to see either."

"This is neither in our nor in Europe's interest," said Spajić.

When asked by the media what else Montenegro needs to complete the process and how Luxembourg can help, Prime Minister Frieden said that most of the work has been done, and that the end of the process is in sight.

"We believe that in the coming months the negotiations can be concluded. As Prime Minister, I will support you in the European Council, where the decision will be made. With my mind and my heart. The mind says that this is what brings people together, my heart too. Because I believe that together we are stronger and more united," he said, adding that we share the same continent and that "if we want to avoid others spreading their influence in the region, we should take care of our friends and neighbors," he said.

In the context of Luxembourg's support, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that there is room in chapters 9 and 17, as well as in the remaining financial chapters, and emphasized that it is also necessary to work on strengthening bilateral cooperation.

"We will work on establishing a year-round airline so that we can connect business communities and other areas of common interest in the future," concluded Spajić.