Montenegro has the potential of becoming a very positive example of successful enlargement, provided that the reform momentum is maintained and reforms are fully implemented. The EU’s expectations are clear: progress must be credible, measurable and irreversible, and firmly anchored in European values, says the Ambassador of Cyprus in Montenegro Andreas Photiou for Eurokaz.
The occasion for this conversation was the forthcoming presidency of Cyprus in the Council of the EU.
-EU enlargement to the Western Balkans will certainly be high on the agenda of your country’s presidency of the Union. In this context, how do you see Montenegro’s position?
EU enlargement will indeed be a key priority of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and in this context, Montenegro, holds a particularly distinct and prominent position.
Montenegro is widely recognised as one of the frontrunners in the enlargement process. It has opened 33 negotiating chapters and has made further tangible progress with 12 negotiating chapters now provisionally closed. This demonstrates a clear strategic orientation and political commitment to EU membership, which we recognise and value.
At the same time, we believe that the next phase should focus on consolidating reforms, in particular in the rule of law, freedom of expression, media freedom, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and public administration. Montenegro is also expected to further improve its administrative capacity. Sustained reform momentum and concrete, measurable and irreversible results will be essential for further advancing the accession process.
During Cyprus’ Presidency, we will work in a fair, credible and merit-based manner to keep enlargement high on the EU agenda, supporting Montenegro and all Western Balkan partners in translating reforms into tangible progress, to the benefit of their citizens and the European Union as a whole.
– How do you assess Montenegro’s progress on its European path and what should we focus on during the upcoming presidency?
Montenegro has made steady and tangible progress on its European path and is rightly regarded as one of the frontrunners in the EU enlargement process. Having opened all negotiating chapters and achieved a high degree of alignment with the EU acquis, including with the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Montenegro has demonstrated a clear strategic commitment to EU membership.
The focus going forward should be on consolidating reforms and delivering concrete results, particularly in the areas of rule of law, judicial independence, the fight against corruption and organised crime, media freedom, and the effective functioning of democratic institutions. These are key elements for further advancement and for building lasting public trust in the accession process.
During Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, we will work to maintain momentum in the enlargement process in a fair, credible and strictly merit-based manner. Our aim will be to support Montenegro in translating reform efforts into measurable outcomes, while keeping enlargement firmly anchored as a strategic priority for the European Union.
– From your perspective, what will be the further European path of the region, especially Montenegro, in light of all the current developments in the EU and the expectations that the EU has from the countries of the region?
The European perspective of the Western Balkans is strategically important for the European Union, particularly in the context of today’s complex geopolitical environment. Enlargement is increasingly seen not only as a policy choice, but as a geostrategic investment in Europe’s stability, security and long-term prosperity.
For Montenegro in particular, the prospects are quite positive. The country has positioned itself as a frontrunner and has demonstrated a clear European orientation, including a high level of alignment with EU policies and values. Maintaining the reform momentum, especially in the core areas of the rule of law, judicial independence, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and the strengthening of democratic institutions are crucial elements for advancing the negotiation process further. Reforms must not only be adopted but effectively implemented and deliver real benefits to citizens.
Montenegro has the potential to become a very positive example of successful enlargement, provided that the reform momentum is maintained and reforms are fully implemented. The EU’s expectations are clear: progress must be credible, measurable and irreversible, and firmly anchored in European values.
Cyprus strongly believes that enlargement is a strategic investment in the stability, security and prosperity of Europe, and we will work constructively with all partners to ensure that this process remains both ambitious and rigorous
– Do you believe that the drafting of the Accession Treaty of Montenegro will begin soon?
Montenegro is widely recognised as the most advanced candidate country, having opened all negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 12 of them. In this context, discussions about the possible drafting of the Accession Treaty are a natural reflection of the progress achieved so far.
During Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, our focus will be on maintaining the momentum of the enlargement process, ensuring that negotiations advance in a credible and predictable manner, and supporting candidate countries to continue to deliver on reforms. That said, and provided that Montenegro continues to demonstrate sustained progress and meets the necessary benchmarks, the Presidency will be ready to move to the next phase, including preparatory work related to the Accession Treaty, at the appropriate time and in line with the Council’s position.
– What is your assessment of the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Montenegro?
Relations between Cyprus and Montenegro are excellent and characterised by mutual respect, shared European values and a steady strengthening of political dialogue. Since Montenegro’s independence, our two countries have built a relationship based on trust, constructive cooperation and a common vision for a stable and prosperous Europe.
Political contacts at bilateral and multilateral level are regular and substantive, while cooperation within international fora is marked by close coordination and mutual support. At the highest level, the President of Montenegro visited Cyprus in June 2024 and the President of Cyprus visited Podgorica in April 2025 also in view of the Presidency of the Council of the EU. Cyprus has consistently supported Montenegro’s European integration path, recognising its reform efforts and its role as a factor of stability.
At the same time, there is a clear potential to further deepen cooperation in the areas such as tourism, maritime issues, trade and investment, education and cultural exchanges.
Looking ahead, Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU offers an opportunity to further enhance our bilateral engagement and to work closely with Montenegro in advancing its European perspective. We remain committed to strengthening our cooperation, both bilaterally and within the broader European framework, to the benefit of our two countries.
By: Marko Vešović, Radio and Television of Montenegro
This text was published in the 17th issue of Eurokaz magazine.