Gorčević at the EU Budget Annual Conference: European Funds Prepare Montenegro for Full Membership

Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević participated in Brussels at the panel "Building Strong International Partnerships through the EU Budget," held as part of the European Union's Annual Budget Conference. During the panel, which included representatives from the European Commission, the World Bank, and the academic community, Gorčević emphasized that Montenegro's inclusion in the EU's future budget framework sends a clear signal that European institutions see the country as the next member of the EU. All recent developments over the past days and months show that the EU recognizes our achievements and is preparing for our accession. "This is the result of intensifying the negotiation process, strengthening administrative capacities, better project preparation, and increasing institutional ability to convert funds into tangible benefits for citizens," Gorčević stated. She also highlighted that Montenegro has been working for years on building a system capable of efficiently and responsibly utilizing these funds, establishing institutions, adopting European standards, and preparing the country to assume all rights and obligations of EU membership. "Pre-accession funds can help us prepare projects and strengthen institutions, but a full developmental leap will be possible through membership and access to much stronger European funds."