Today marks an important milestone and significant achievement on Montenegro’s EU accession path.

For the first time in 7 years, Montenegro has closed 3 chapters in its EU accession negotiations.

This is a good ending to a very productive year, during which Montenegro earned a positive IBAR, joined SEPA, and presented an ambitious Reform Agenda aimed at securing over 380 million euros in EU investments.

Credit for this year’s success goes to both the government and the opposition. Montenegrin politicians have proved that they can work together, beyond political differences, to support key EU-related laws and decisions, in the interest of all citizens.

This milestone would not have been reached without the dedication and hard work of negotiators, experts, and civil servants within Montenegro’s negotiating structure, as well as the significant support of their colleagues in EU institutions.

To achieve its ambitious goal of swift EU accession, it is absolutely essential for Montenegro to maintain the current positive trend of national unity in support of the EU agenda.

Today’s IGC is also a reminder that keeping good relations with neighbours is the DNA of the European project.

Therefore, I encourage the political stakeholders to build on the steps which have been taken in the past weeks in order to solve outstanding issues.