The Cabinet of Montenegro has expressed its support for remarks made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, indicating that the European Union could soon begin discussions on an Accession Agreement with Montenegro. This statement comes following a call from President Jakov Milatovic during the European Political Community Summit held in Copenhagen on October 2, where he urged Chancellor Merz and other European leaders to initiate the drafting process for Montenegro’s EU Accession Agreement.
President Milatovic emphasized that now is the time for tangible progress, stating that this step would serve as a significant impetus for completing remaining reforms. He highlighted the importance of recognizing and rewarding results achieved in the enlargement process. The president has consistently advocated for this initiative at various European forums, including meetings in Brussels, where discussions about the Accession Agreement were central to his agenda with President of the European Council Charles Michel.
Continuing Dialogue with European Leaders
The Cabinet noted that Milatovic will persist in his discussions with European leaders to transform this political message into a concrete process. This includes establishing clear steps and timelines for drafting the Accession Agreement, alongside closing negotiation chapters that would enable Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union by the end of 2028.
During his upcoming visit to Brussels next week, Milatovic will engage with EU institutions to focus on the next steps in the negotiation process. A key meeting with President Charles Michel is scheduled for December 17, 2023, where preparations for the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro, set for June 2026, will also be discussed.
In this context, Milatovic is expected to call for the commencement of technical consultations with the European Commission and member states in the coming weeks. The goal is to have the framework and structure of the Accession Agreement ready by the time of the summit in Montenegro. This represents a crucial step in translating political support into a tangible institutional process.
Montenegro’s Commitment to EU Principles
The Cabinet reiterated that Montenegro remains committed to the principle that each candidate country progresses based on its own achievements, with clear rules and equal standards for all. The overarching objective is to ensure that through responsible domestic policies and strong partnerships with member states, Montenegro achieves EU membership by 2028.
As President Milatovic has reiterated, the European Union is a daily commitment in all areas of work for Montenegro. The recent message from Berlin further obligates all societal actors in Montenegro to remain focused on reforms and measurable outcomes.
Montenegro’s pursuit of EU membership reflects its aspiration for stronger integration into European structures, which could significantly impact its political and economic landscape in the coming years.
