Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević today received delegations from the Committee on European Affairs of the French National Assembly and the Committee on European Union Policies of the Parliament of Italy.
Minister Gorčević informed the guests about the planned dynamics of the completion of the negotiation process, stressing that this is not only a technical but also a political process, as confirmed by the recent EU–Western Balkans Summit.
“We can say that we are at the doorstep of the EU. Our plan is to complete all obligations by the end of the summer, in order to close all chapters by the end of the year. The main focus is on continuing reforms, but we are also paying special attention to talks with the 27 Member States, bearing in mind that next year we expect the ratification of the Accession Treaty in all of those countries. I expect that the European dream we have been dreaming for 14 years will soon become reality,” Gorčević said.
The Minister stated that Montenegro has achieved a great deal and that it is important to present these results to Member States and their parliaments, which will decide on the ratification of the Treaty. She emphasised that the Government of Montenegro is focused on the rule of law, strengthening the economy, and enhancing economic ties with EU Member States.
“Our reasons for joining the EU are based on values, but also on becoming part of the single market, because better connectivity enables better economic development of the entire Western Balkans,” the Minister said, adding that all political parties, as well as more than 70% of citizens of Montenegro, support EU membership.
The Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the French National Assembly, Pierre-Alexandre Anglade, said that Montenegro has achieved excellent results on its European path. He noted that, given that the decision on Montenegro’s accession will be made either by referendum or by qualified majority in the French National Assembly and Senate, cooperation should be strengthened to ensure support in both houses of the French Parliament in achieving the goal of full EU membership.
He welcomed the results Montenegro has achieved under the current Government and said that the commitment and determination in implementing reforms have brought Montenegro very close to EU membership.
The Chair of the Committee on European Union Policies in the Parliament of Italy, Alessandro Giglio Vigna, also welcomed the results achieved in the negotiation process and stated that all indications suggest Montenegro will become the 28th EU Member State.
He said that the EU represents a space for debate in various fields such as economy, industry, and politics, where different governments and parliaments meet, and that Montenegro can be an active ally of Italy at every one of these tables, as they belong to the same part of Europe – the Mediterranean – sharing historical ties and common interests.
Members of the parliamentary delegations from Italy and France congratulated Montenegro on the successfully organised EU–Western Balkans Summit, as well as on Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process.