The Slovak Republic welcomes Montenegro’s good pace of progress in the negotiation process and will continue to provide all necessary support in areas important for the successful completion of Montenegro’s European path, it was stated during Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević’s visit to Bratislava.
During the visit to Slovakia, Gorčević met with the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Marek Eštok, and with the Chair of the Committee for European Affairs of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Peter Kalivoda.
Minister Gorčević said that Montenegro is strongly committed to achieving the goal of completing accession negotiations by the end of this year and securing full membership in 2028, emphasizing that the country is working diligently on fulfilling remaining obligations within the agreed deadlines.
“The upcoming start of drafting the Accession Treaty confirms that our reform process is on the right track and encourages us to work even harder and remain committed to the goal of EU membership in 2028. We need strong support from all member states so that the treaty can be ratified in their parliaments,” Gorčević said.
She added that Montenegro, in the year it marks the second decade since restoring its independence, will host the EU–Western Balkans Summit, has taken over the presidency of the Berlin Process and the Western Balkans Fund, and will soon begin a six-month presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
“Alongside an intensive European agenda that leads us toward full EU membership, Montenegro is committed to taking on a responsible role in the region and on the broader international stage,” Gorčević said.
State Secretary Eštok said that Slovakia strongly supports EU enlargement to the Western Balkans and is pleased with the progress Montenegro is making on that path.
“The position of the Slovak Government is that we strongly support Montenegro and want to see you as the next EU member state. Slovakia can serve as a good example of how important and beneficial EU membership has been, and how much we have progressed economically since then. Since restoring independence, Montenegro has made significant steps in international affirmation, achieved NATO membership, and made excellent progress toward full EU membership,” Eštok said.
He added that Slovakia will confirm its continued support at the upcoming ministerial meeting of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” group, to be held in May in Bratislava.
Chair of the Committee for European Affairs Kalivoda said that Montenegro is always the first country mentioned when EU enlargement is discussed, especially because in Montenegro’s case the process is merit-based and there are no shortcuts to membership. He praised the work of the Friendship Group within the parliamentary dialogue between Montenegro and Slovakia and expressed readiness to intensify cooperation in the coming period.
“Montenegro has achieved notable and significant results in the negotiation process, confirming its role as a frontrunner in the EU integration process and serving as an example that other candidate countries should follow,” it was stated from the meeting with the parliamentary Committee for European Affairs.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS