European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said on Thursday in Podgorica, during a meeting with Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, that she “encourages Montenegro to work even harder if it wants to close the negotiation chapters with the EU by 2026.”
She emphasized that “Montenegro has the opportunity to complete negotiations during her mandate, and that President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić have confirmed that the citizens want this.”
Kos stated that all political actors must work in line with the citizens’ desires for EU membership.
“Enlargement should involve all layers of society, including institutions,” she said.
“Montenegro has a historic opportunity, and there is no time to lose. I trust that you will make me proud,” said the Commissioner for Enlargement.
Kos added that the best way to move forward is by including the opposition and supporting reforms, while also acknowledging that the parliament is a place to discuss differences.
“I expect the majority in parliament to support the reforms,” said Kos.
Kos also expressed her condolences to the families of those killed in the tragedy in Cetinje on January 1 and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that the visit of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, is a great responsibility for Montenegro to work even harder.
“It is a great honor and a big responsibility for us to close the chapters by 2026. We must focus on the reforms required and seek a compromise between the government and the opposition,” said Spajić, VOA reported.
Montenegro is the first Western Balkans country that Marta Kos has visited in her capacity as Commissioner for Enlargement.
Montenegro has made the most progress in the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and is seen as the next potential EU member state.
Following a positive assessment of transitional standards in the rule of law areas, the country has emerged from a long-standing deadlock in its membership negotiations and is working to close all chapters in the accession process.
