European External Action Service

10/03/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2025 05:52

Montenegro Strengthens Capacities for EU Membership through the EU Empower ME Project

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Montenegro Strengthens Capacities for EU Membership through the EU Empower ME Project

03.10.2025 Press and information team of the Delegation to MONTENEGRO
© Copyright: Evropska kuća

"EU Empower ME is more than just a project. It is a declaration of intent: to empower Montenegro, to empower its institutions and to empower its citizens on their European path," stated the Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, during his address at the Kick-off Meeting of the EU Empower ME project.

He emphasised the importance of such projects for strengthening institutional capacities and advancing Montenegro's European integration.
"We provide assistance where it is most needed - we bring in experts from EU Member States who will support Montenegrin institutions in closing negotiation chapters," Sattler stated.

Copyright: Evropska kuća

The Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, and the German Ambassador to Montenegro, Peter Felten, also addressed the audience. They highlighted the project's significance for strengthening Montenegro's institutional capacities and accelerating the process of European integration.

"The German contribution to the EU Empower ME project has a political dimension - it is a signal that we fully support Montenegro in its impressive efforts to meet the high ambitions it has set. We are convinced that this project will provide Montenegro with crucial support in realising those ambitions. Because, in the end, it is not the external advisers and experts, but Montenegro itself that must, and will, achieve results," said German Ambassador Peter Felten, expressing full support and confidence in Montenegro's capacities.

Minister Gorčević underlined that we must not forget the essence of European integration - the importance of the social and political transformation currently underway. At the same time, she emphasised that public administration reforms are being implemented, thereby enhancing transparency and improving the quality of services for citizens.

Copyright: Evropska kuća

"Europe is the future chosen by our citizens, the orientation of our society, and the guiding principle of our Government. With commitment, reforms and responsibility, we will meet the requirements and take the final steps towards membership," stated the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević.

The Minister further highlighted ongoing investments in competitiveness, digitalisation, and the energy transition, in line with the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, as well as progress in key sectors such as environmental protection, energy, and human capital development.

The meeting was attended by representatives of all relevant Montenegrin institutions, the embassies of EU Member States, the Delegation of the EU to Montenegro, as well as partner organisations, confirming a shared commitment to Montenegro's continued European path.

The EU Empower ME project, jointly funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ, aims to strengthen the capacities of state institutions, particularly the negotiating structure, to effectively respond to the final reforms and prepare Montenegro for EU membership.

European External Action Service published this content on October 03, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 03, 2025 at 11:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]