Ivanović meets with Chairperson and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Senate: Strong support for Montenegro’s EU path

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović met with José Ignacio Landaluce Calleja, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Senate, and members of the Committee.

At the start of the meeting, Chairperson Landaluce Calleja extended a warm welcome and reaffirmed Spain's strong support for Montenegro's European integration efforts, expressing hope that the country would soon join the European Union as a full member.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović expressed his gratitude for the warm words and hospitality, noting his satisfaction at having the opportunity, during his visit to Madrid, to engage with both executive and legislative representatives. He underscored the very good bilateral relations between Montenegro and Spain, while emphasizing there is further potential to deepen cooperation-particularly in the areas of economy, culture, education, and business engagement. Ivanović noted Montenegro's openness to Spanish investment and its desire to see a stronger presence of Spanish companies operating in the country.

He also expressed deep appreciation for Spain's ongoing support and assistance, highlighting the significance of the Memorandum of Cooperation on European Integration signed earlier in the day, as a clear reflection of Spain's principled and unwavering support for Montenegro's EU accession process.

Ivanović emphasized that the messages he has heard during his visit are highly encouraging and important for the continuation of reforms and integration efforts. He stated that the Government of Montenegro has worked intensively over the past 18 months to advance reforms and remains firmly committed to achieving EU membership by 2028. He noted that Montenegro's accession would have multiple positive effects-first and foremost for its own citizens, then as a strong signal to other candidate countries in the region, and also as a success story for the European Union itself. "Montenegro's success story is also a success story for the EU," Ivanović said.

Participants agreed that Montenegro's full membership would benefit all sides and underlined the importance of unity and working together throughout the enlargement process.

The possibility of a reciprocal visit by members of the Senate Committee to Montenegro was also discussed, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and gaining a closer understanding of the country's institutions.