DPM Ivanović: Montenegro is ready to become a full-fledged member of the EU

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović participated in the EU Enlargement Summit in Brussels, organized by Euronews.

In an interview focused on the future of European integration, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović emphasized that the enlargement policy is the Union's most successful policy, as it strengthens the EU as a geopolitical actor. He underlined that Montenegro, as the most advanced candidate country, aims to be an active partner in this process and contribute to its success.

Ivanović recalled that Montenegro's strategic goal is to become a full-fledged member of the European Union, with equal status and voting rights alongside all member states. He stressed that Montenegro has been fully aligned with EU policies for years and has contributed to every Union decision, and that such a level of alignment must be recognized and rewarded with full-fledged membership.

Responding to questions about the idea of introducing a "trial period" for new members, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović pointed out that Montenegro has already been in a sort of trial phase for over 13 years. He explained that this period continues until all negotiation chapters are closed, and that membership without full voting rights would be difficult to accept.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that Montenegro's accession would confirm the credibility of the EU enlargement policy and demonstrate that the Union remains consistent in its merit-based approach to accepting new members.

Reflecting on the latest European Commission Progress Report, Ivanović noted that the document confirms the continuity and results of the Montenegrin Government's reform efforts. He emphasized that the report provides proof of consistent reforms, serves as an introduction to the Intergovernmental Conference at the end of the year, and outlines a clear plan for the reform process over the next 12 months.

In addition to Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović, the summit gathered President of the European Council António Costa, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, President of Moldova Maia Sandu, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, and Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski.