The Deputy Prime Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanović, stated that Montenegro remains committed to the plan to close all negotiation chapters with the European Union by the end of 2026, emphasizing that this is a goal agreed upon with the European Commission.
As he explained, the deadline was not unilaterally set by the Government, but is part of the roadmap agreed upon with European partners at the beginning of the mandate.
“As a Government, in agreement with the European Commission, since the very formation of the Government and the assumption of the process of European integration into our jurisdiction, we have set the end of 2026 as the deadline by which all negotiation chapters with the European Union will be closed. So, I repeat, this was not a unilateral decision by the Government, but a plan and roadmap agreed upon with the European Commission,” said Ivanović.
Speaking about the dynamics of the process, Ivanović assessed that the plan is being implemented according to expectations, despite the caution that European officials traditionally express regarding deadlines.
“Everyone will tell you, both from the Government and from the European Commission, that this plan is being realized at a satisfactory pace. Of course, many EU officials somewhat cautiously say that this goal is ambitious, and it truly is ambitious, but it is also very realistic, that is, achievable,” he noted.
Reflecting on the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Tivat, Ivanović assessed that the presence of the highest European officials represents a confirmation of Montenegro’s international reputation and the trust that the country has built as a credible partner of the European Union.
Ivanović emphasizes that the messages from the last summit were „never more optimistic and never stronger“ regarding the country’s European perspective.
„The course of the summit and the statements we heard can testify that the political messages are never more optimistic and never stronger when it comes to Montenegro in the European Union. This was stated by the highest officials of the European Union – the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and the European Commissioner,“ said Ivanović.
He assessed that the completion of negotiations by the end of 2026 is no longer just an ambitious idea.
„The end of 2026 as the date for the completion of negotiations is no longer just a story that was timidly mentioned from certain addresses. Today, it is a mainstream topic,“ said Ivanović.
As he stated, there is a strong commitment from both Montenegro and the European Commission to complete the negotiation process within the planned timeframe.
„There is a willingness on the part of Montenegro and the European Commission. Intergovernmental conferences are being held, and communication is ongoing to close the chapters. I would most like to repeat what EU officials have said, which is that it is quite certain that this year will be the year in which a large number of chapters will be concluded,“ says Ivanović.
Ivanović reminded that European officials are already talking about the period after the completion of negotiations.
„They have very explicitly mentioned that 2028 will be the year of the admission of new members, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated that Montenegro is ready for membership in the European Union,“ said Ivanović.
Speaking about the remaining obligations, Ivanović emphasized that chapters 23 and 24 remain among the most demanding.
„Chapters 23 and 24 are significant not only because of their complexity and the scope of reforms but also because, according to the new methodology, they are crucial for the start of closing the negotiation process. No country could start closing chapters before fulfilling the final benchmarks in these areas,“ noted Ivanović.
He added that upon closing all chapters, the European Commission will reassess precisely in the areas of the rule of law.
„When all chapters are closed, an evaluation of chapters 23 and 24 will be conducted again. We already have a very good non-paper from the European Commission, the best so far.“
According to him, in addition to the adoption of laws and strategies, there are three key issues that will be crucial for the completion of negotiations.
„First of all, these are constitutional amendments. There are also the elections of members of the Judicial Council, the Prosecutorial Council, and the Council of the Central Bank of Montenegro, as well as the completion of the Constitutional Court and other important institutions,“ said Ivanović.
He adds that complete alignment of the visa policy with the European Union is also necessary.
„Additionally, it is necessary to improve the interoperability of systems, continue to enhance the prevention of illegal migration, improve conditions for asylum, and manage borders. However, none of this is new; it is a continuous job. And a lot has already been done,“ says Ivanović.
He emphasized that, apart from the constitutional amendments that require political will in parliament, he does not see serious obstacles.
„There are no brakes. There are chapters that will be further evaluated, but I have no doubt that the work will be completed on time and in accordance with the roadmap we have set,“ said Ivanović.
Speaking about the political agreement on constitutional amendments, Ivanović expressed hope that it will be reached soon.
He emphasizes that June 30 was mentioned as a deadline due to the Growth Plan, but that this deadline has passed, among other reasons because opposition parties did not participate in the voting.
„I hope that the declarative commitment to the European path will also be shown in actions. It is one thing to participate in discussions, and another when it comes time to vote on laws, and you are not in the parliamentary hall,“ says Ivanović.
He called on both the government and the opposition to reach a compromise.
„I would appeal to both the parliamentary majority and the opposition to find common ground. This is not a particular interest of any party, but a key issue that will determine whether we will meet the final benchmarks,“ says Ivanović.
Commenting on speculations that an agreement could be reached by July 30, Ivanović said that this date should not be viewed as a firm deadline.
„I believe that this is a speculative date, especially considering that the Assembly will soon go on summer break. I would love for an agreement to be reached tomorrow, but constitutional amendments require a certain procedure. Even if an agreement were reached immediately, it does not mean that the amendments would be adopted right away.“
He added that Montenegro’s work does not stop with the adoption of reforms.
„Our progress does not mean that it is enough for us to finish our part of the job. Sometimes the European Commission needs several months to verify and validate everything we submit,“ said Ivanović.
For this reason, he believes that early autumn would be an optimal period for completing key reforms.
„Early autumn would be a tentative deadline that would leave the European Commission enough time to carry out verification, so that at intergovernmental conferences by the end of the year, all planned chapters could be closed,“ concluded the Deputy Prime Minister.
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