DPM Filip Ivanović meets with Thomas Waitz

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met with a delegation of the European Parliament, led by the Chair of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) Thomas Waitz.

The delegation, in addition to Mr. Waitz included: Tsvetelina Penkova, Vice-Chair of the SAPC and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (S&D, Bulgaria); Marjan Šarec, Standing Rapporteur of the European Parliament for Montenegro and Member of the Committee on Security and Defence (Renew, Slovenia); Arash Saeidi, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (The Left, France); Grzegorz Braun, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (Poland); and Thijs Reuten, Member of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs (S&D, Netherlands).

During the meeting, the interlocutors held an open and constructive dialogue on the current state and perspectives of Montenegro's European integration, with particular focus on key reforms in the areas of the rule of law, independence and efficiency of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as progress in closing negotiation chapters. Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović emphasised that Montenegro is determined to conclude negotiations by 2026 and to be ready for membership by 2028 - the country's highest national priority, strongly supported by exceptionally high public backing.

He stressed that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Montenegro's European future, highlighting the Government's consistent efforts to strengthen institutional resilience, transparency and accountability, as demonstrated by the significant step forward in the provisional closure of Chapter 5. Particular attention was also given to Montenegro's commitment to European values through full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović underlined that several chapters are expected to be closed by the end of the year.

Members of the delegation, led by Mr. Waitz, expressed strong support for Montenegro's European ambitions and satisfaction with the progress achieved so far. They underlined that consistent implementation of reforms, institutional strengthening, and sustainability of progress are key prerequisites for further advancement in the accession negotiations.

The interlocutors agreed that intensified political dialogue, inter-institutional cooperation, and the technical support of the European Parliament are essential for maintaining reform momentum and achieving Montenegro's ambitious European goals. The visit of the SAPC delegation represents an important element of the European Parliament's continuous political support to Montenegro, reaffirming that the country's EU integration process is on the right track, with clear objectives and shared responsibility.