Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović, during his visit to Budapest, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó. The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm the high level of bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as to discuss further enhancement of cooperation in the context of Montenegro's European integration.

Ivanović expressed his gratitude to Hungary for the support it provides to Montenegro on its European path, emphasizing that the backing of EU member states, among which Hungary plays a significant role, represents an important incentive for the successful continuation of the reform process and the achievement of Montenegro's strategic goal - full membership in the European Union. In this context, he highlighted that it is a priority for the Government of Montenegro to close the remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026, thereby successfully completing the accession negotiations with the European Union.

Minister Szijjártó emphasized that Hungary strongly supports the European Union's enlargement policy, underlining that Montenegro is the most advanced candidate for membership and an example that consistent implementation of reforms and political commitment can yield concrete results on the European path. He also stressed that the continuation of the EU enlargement policy towards the Western Balkan countries is of strategic importance, with Montenegro recognized as a country leading the negotiating process in the region.

The two officials assessed that relations between Montenegro and Hungary are at a very high level, with mutual readiness to further enhance cooperation through political dialogue, economic ties, and joint projects of mutual interest, particularly through the mechanisms of recently signed intergovernmental agreements.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the readiness to further deepen cooperation between the two countries was confirmed, with the assessment that the partnership between Montenegro and Hungary will continue to contribute to Montenegro's European perspective, the stability of the Western Balkans, and the further improvement of bilateral relations.