Spajić, Várhelyi: Montenegro’s achievements are our joint success

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić is hosting the Summit of Western Balkans and EU leaders today (16 May) in Kotor.

Ahead of the Summit, Prime Minister Spajić met with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi to discuss current opportunities and and possibilities for further cooperation, particularly in the implementation of the reform agenda.

Prime Minister Spajić and Commissioner Várhelyi agreed that Montenegro has been highly successful in decisively meeting the priorities of the negotiation chapters on the rule of law. They noted that over the past six months, the Montenegrin administration has effectively responded to an exceptionally ambitious plan. They assessed that, if all remaining obligations are fulfilled, this will result in receiving IBAR and the continuation of the integration process.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the European Commission's attitude towards Montenegro and stated that this is one of the most successful phases in terms of the enlargement policy in recent years.

Montenegro’s achievements and every step closer to full membership are our joint success, Spajić stated.

Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi emphasised the importance of organising the Western Balkans Leaders Summit in Montenegro, noting that this is an opportunity for Montenegro to reaffirm itself as a cohesive factor in the region, on which all international partners can rely, especially concerning the preservation of stability and the continuation of overall development. "The European Commission strongly supports all activities in this direction," Várhelyi emphasised.

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien and France's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans René Troccaz are also attending the Summit.