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<\/p>\n\u201cMontenegro\u2019s European future is within reach. The closure of five negotiation chapters at today\u2019s Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels is a strong confirmation that reforms pay off and that our ambition \u2013 to close all negotiation chapters by the end of 2026 \u2013 is realistic and achievable. With responsible governance, credible institutions, and unity across all branches of government, we can meet our citizens\u2019 expectations and show that the European Union delivers on its promises,\u201d said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gor\u010devi\u0107 in Brussels.<\/p>\n
She, together with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Seamus Boland, opened the 21st meeting of the EU\u2013Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee (JCC).<\/p>\n
The meeting was co-chaired by Danko Reli\u0107 from the EU side and Gordana \u0110urovi\u0107 from the Montenegrin side, with participation from representatives of the European Commission, Montenegrin NGOs, trade unions, and employers.<\/p>\n
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Key aspects of EU\u2013Montenegro relations were discussed at the meeting, with particular focus on the 2025 European Commission Report assessments, implementation of the Reform Agenda for the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Montenegro\u2019s roadmap for meeting criteria to close negotiation chapters, and the state of civil society and social dialogue in Montenegro.<\/p>\n
Minister Gor\u010devi\u0107 noted that Montenegro is currently the only candidate country to have opened all 33 negotiation chapters, and that the closure of an additional five chapters at today\u2019s Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels represents Montenegro\u2019s greatest achievement in the accession process to date.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis is an effort of the entire society: government, institutions, civil society, and, most importantly, the citizens of Montenegro, who consistently support EU membership at around 70 percent. This strong societal consensus is our greatest political capital and additional motivation to accelerate reforms and meet all conditions to close the negotiation process by the end of 2026,\u201d Gor\u010devi\u0107 emphasized.<\/p>\n
EESC President Seamus Boland stressed that genuine involvement of organized civil society is crucial for the success of reforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Montenegro gradually and securely progresses toward EU membership, active participation of civil society must remain at the heart of the enlargement process to ensure that reforms are grounded in democratic values and have broad citizen support,\u201d Boland said.<\/p>\n
Co-chair of the JCC from the Montenegrin side, Gordana \u0110urovi\u0107, stated that the closure of five negotiation chapters sends a strong signal to EU institutions and member states that Montenegro is firmly committed to its strategic goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom this meeting, we send a clear message that Montenegro is fully committed to becoming the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Achieving this goal requires mobilization of all resources \u2013 in government, parliament, and judiciary \u2013 as well as strong and continuous dialogue with civil society to ensure that the conclusion of negotiations is successful and sustainable,\u201d \u0110urovi\u0107 said.<\/p>\n
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EU co-chair of the JCC, Danko Reli\u0107, noted that Montenegro has shown that progress toward the EU depends on concrete results.<\/p>\n
\u201cMontenegro has demonstrated that advancement toward EU membership is not a matter of political slogans but of results, reforms, and responsible leadership. EU enlargement is based on the individual achievements of each country, with strong social and civil dialogue as a key element of a successful and sustainable accession process,\u201d Reli\u0107 said.<\/p>\n
State Secretary in the Ministry of European Affairs, Bojana Bo\u0161kovi\u0107, presented Montenegro\u2019s results and ongoing activities in implementing the Western Balkans Growth Plan, emphasizing that this instrument plays a central role in accelerating Montenegro\u2019s socio-economic convergence with the EU and preparing the country for future membership.<\/p>\n
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Civil society representatives stressed that active, timely, and substantive participation of civil society organizations is crucial in decision-making processes that directly affect citizens, especially in the context of European integration. They highlighted the importance of involving civil society in the legislative process from the earliest stages of drafting laws to ensure that reform solutions are of higher quality, more transparent, and based on the real needs of society.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was jointly stated that strong political consensus, inclusive dialogue with civil society, and consistent implementation of reforms are key prerequisites for the successful conclusion of negotiations and Montenegro\u2019s full EU membership.<\/p>\n
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During the meeting, the Joint Declaration of the EU\u2013Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee was adopted by consensus of all participants.<\/p>\n