Vice President of Montenegro for Euronews: "28 to 28" is a realistic goal, we want to finish negotiations by the end of the year

At 16:29 CEST • Updated at 16:58 Montenegro is determined to complete accession negotiations with the European Union this year, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Filip Ivanović in an interview with Euronews. For the first time since Brexit, the European Union has a real opportunity to expand again, and Montenegro appears as an exceptionally patient "exemplary" candidate on the path to membership. "The goal is to close negotiations by the end of this year. We truly believe it is possible to finish the job by year's end," Ivanović stated. He added that more than half of the negotiation chapters are already closed. "Regarding Montenegro, in terms of adopting and implementing legislation, reforms, and all other standards and criteria for the remaining chapters, we will complete our part within a month. This will leave enough time for our friends from the European Commission to verify progress, and for EU member states' representatives to give final approval for each chapter to be closed by the end of the year. I am very optimistic and believe we will complete negotiations within the planned timeframe." Ivanović: The benefits are twofold When asked about Montenegro's main expectations from EU membership and what the country can bring to the Union, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the benefits of Montenegro's political association with the European Union are twofold. "Montenegro firmly believes that historically, culturally, and politically, it belongs to the most advanced and developed political community in the world, which is the European Union." In 2023, opponents of renewing accession negotiations with the EU won 52.8% of the votes. Reflecting on the Icelandic referendum decision, Ivanović said: "I wouldn't draw any firm conclusions from the Icelandic referendum regarding the attractiveness of the EU, because, as you know, Iceland is already quite strongly integrated into the European Economic Area and in many other areas. One aspect of responsibility lies with candidate countries, and another with the European Union itself." "28 to 28" – Montenegro's goal When asked about possible interference by China, Russia, or other geopolitical actors in the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans, he responded: "I am absolutely sure that there are geopolitical actors who will not be inclined towards Montenegro's membership – not only Montenegro's membership itself but also the expansion of the European Union."