"Montenegro has progressed the most on the European road and has a place in the European Union," said the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanović, paid an official visit to Slovenia yesterday, at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. In addition to the meeting with the head of Slovenian diplomacy, he also met with the President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar and the President of the National Assembly Urška Klakočar Zupančić.
Montenegro is making progress and is very well on its way to becoming the first next member of the European Union, it was assessed during the meeting with Tanja Fajon, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The interlocutors agreed that the relations between the two countries are very good, friendly and partnership-like, as well as that the cooperation is intensive and substantial in numerous areas.
"Slovenia has a special place on our development path. As a country that opened the first diplomatic mission in Montenegro in 2006, it continued to be a reliable partner and support, later a contact country in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration, and to this day, a promoter and strong advocate of the European future of Montenegro", said Ivanović, reminding that full membership in the European Union is a strategic goal of Montenegro and a priority, the realization of which is "fully focused on by the current government, but also by the whole society".
The head of Slovenian diplomacy, Tanja Fajon, said that the new momentum in the enlargement policy is very important. "I am glad that Montenegro, with which we have very good relations and dynamic economic cooperation, has received a new incentive to speed up the negotiation process. The progress you are making has not gone unnoticed and you can still count on Slovenia's full support".
They agreed, as announced, that the dynamics of the negotiation process are affected by numerous crises and geopolitical events, but that the enlargement policy is in focus and that this moment should be used. Cooperation on the multilateral level was also discussed, and Fajon said that Slovenia will support Montenegro in its candidacy for a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2026-2027. years.
In his conversation with President Pirc Musar, Ivanović pointed out that Montenegro is grateful to Slovenia for its consistent and proactive approach to the European Union's enlargement policy, and for advocating progress based on individual results. "This is a key year for Montenegro, but also for the EU and the credibility of the enlargement policy. It is in the common interest to speed up the negotiations, and the Government of Montenegro is determined to complete its part of the work as soon as possible".
Pirc Musar assessed that Montenegro has progressed absolutely the most on the European path. "Montenegro has a place in the European Union. It is in the interest of Slovenia, as well as the EU, that the countries of the Western Balkans progress in integration and join the family of European states."
The meeting with the President of the National Assembly of Slovenia was, as stated, an opportunity to discuss the parliamentary dimension of bilateral relations, and the importance of cooperation and the strengthening of parliamentary diplomacy.
Klakočar Zupančić said that Slovenia's positions are clear. "Despite the challenges, we believe in the idea and fundamental values of the European Union. That's why we want the candidate countries to have a clear perspective of membership and we strongly support your European path."
Ivanovic thanked for the comprehensive and continuous support of Slovenia and its institutions, at the political and expert level. "It is precisely thanks to the support of our partners that, as the country that has advanced the most in the negotiations, we strive to be as successful as possible in fulfilling the obligations from the European agenda, and we are glad that our partners recognize this."
During yesterday's talks, current global crises were also discussed, with the assessment that the international community must insist on diplomatic conflict resolution, respect for the rule of law, provision of humanitarian aid, and protection of civilians, the announcement concludes.
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