Gorčević in Tallinn: Estonia with Montenegro towards full EU membership

Estonia was with Montenegro at the beginning of our European journey. Today, when we are taking the last steps towards membership, it is important for us that it will be with us at the end. Our goal is not just to become a member of the European Union, but a member that contributes, has its own voice and further strengthens the Union, said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević during a visit to Estonia.

Gorčević met today in Tallinn with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Cahn and the Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the Estonian Parliament, Peter Tali.

As announced by the Ministry of European Affairs, special emphasis in the talks was placed on the final phase of Montenegro's European path, work on the Accession Treaty, as well as the process of its future ratification in the member states.

It is added that they agreed that work on the Accession Treaty represents an important political signal that Montenegro's European path is becoming increasingly concrete and that the process is gradually moving from negotiations to preparation for membership itself.

"Our goal is clear - to close the remaining chapters by the end of this year and for Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union in 2028. But the end of this process is not just a question of what Montenegro needs to do. The trust and support of each member state on the path to signing and ratifying the Accession Treaty is also important," said Gorčević.

Cahna, the statement reads, confirmed strong support for Montenegro's membership in the European Union, emphasizing that it is now important to shift the focus to how to help Montenegro successfully complete the process and become a member of the EU.

"Montenegro has shown that consistent reforms bring results. Now we must quickly continue preparations for the Accession Treaty. Montenegro's success sends a clear message to other candidate countries: the effort you are putting in leads to membership," said Cahna.

Gorčević emphasized that Montenegro does not expect shortcuts or special treatment from member states, but rather that the achieved results be followed by concrete progress towards membership.

The Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs, Peter Tali, expressed full support for Montenegro's membership and particular interest in how Estonia and its parliament can concretely assist in the next steps. He confirmed his readiness to further intensify parliamentary cooperation with Montenegro in the period ahead.

Estonian interlocutors expressed their willingness to continue political and parliamentary support in the final phase of the path to membership.