Statement by DPM and Foreign Minister Ibrahimović on the European Commission’s Report on Montenegro

The European Commission's Report confirms that Montenegro has achieved visible progress in the process of European integration. This is the most positive assessment to date and clearly reinforces our country's position as the most advanced candidate and the next member state of the European Union.

Such messages serve as a strong encouragement both for our institutions and for the citizens of Montenegro to persevere in our most important international endeavour. Once we accomplish it, we will be able to say with full conviction that we have left to future generations a strong, European state, firmly rooted in European values.

The report is highly encouraging. In most negotiating chapters, progress this year has been faster than in the previous one, while six chapters recorded significant advancement. It is particularly important that there has been no stagnation or backsliding in any chapter, which demonstrates that Montenegro maintains continuity and stability on its European path.

Of course, optimism must go hand in hand with caution. The key chapters 23 and 24 remain the cornerstone of our process, and it is vital to preserve synergy among all branches of government, especially the Parliament of Montenegro. It is necessary to complete the election of judges of the Constitutional Court, members of the Prosecutorial and Judicial Councils, as well as the Council of the Agency for Electronic Media, in order to demonstrate that Montenegro has stable and independent institutions.

We remain fully committed to transforming the achieved progress into tangible results for every citizen of Montenegro. The European Union is not merely a political goal - it is the way we build our state, conduct dialogue, and care for one another. Montenegro remains faithful to European values, dedicated to reforms, and determined to become a full-fledged member of the European Union - a community of nations to which we belong not only geographically, but also by tradition, choice, and conviction.