“The Government of Montenegro has fulfilled all obligations regarding the IBAR within the deadline, and now we expect the Parliament to do its part so that the immense work and effort we have demonstrated over the past few months will be adequately rewarded by moving to the final phase of the negotiation process,” said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević. Today, she had a meeting with Hungary’s Minister of European Affairs János Boka.
“It is important not to miss the favorable momentum and enthusiasm that exists both in Montenegro and at the EU level regarding the enlargement policy,” said Gorčević.
The minister expressed confidence that once the Parliament passes the laws, the EU will reward Montenegro for the achieved results, thereby confirming its commitment to progress based on measurable results and merits.
She also emphasized that the Government and the Ministry of European Affairs will direct all energy and capacities to prepare as many negotiation chapters as possible for closure at the Intergovernmental Conference to be held during Hungary’s EU Council presidency.
Hungary’s Minister of European Affairs János Boka praised Montenegro’s achievements and stated that the IBAR is expected in June, expressing confidence that the report will be positive.
“I assure you that in the second half of the year, when Hungary presides over the EU Council, we will do everything to keep the enlargement policy in the focus of the EU’s work and for Montenegro to continue to progress rapidly towards membership,” Boka said.
He emphasized that Hungary will continue to support Montenegro’s advancement towards EU membership and noted that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a good mechanism for the countries of the region to intensify their initiated reforms.
Minister Boka presented the activities Hungary plans to undertake during its EU Council presidency, as well as the plan to involve Western Balkan countries in most of these activities to keep the enlargement policy at the top of the agenda during the six-month presidency.
The interlocutors also exchanged views on the political situation in the Western Balkans, possible forms of support that Hungary can provide to Montenegro in the negotiation process, and the intensification of political dialogue between the EU, member states, and Western Balkan countries.
