Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro can count on the full political support of France in the final stage of the EU negotiation process and the preparation of Accession Treaty, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic at the Elysee Palace.

 

According to the Government’s press release, Spajic met with Macron as part of his working visit to Paris, where he will also meet with French parliamentarians.

 

“During the meeting, two officials reaffirmed close and friendly relations between Montenegro and France and the emphasized the importance of intensifying political, economic and strategic cooperation”, the press release states.

 

The Government said that the importance of the ad hoc Working Party for the drafting of Montenegro’s EU Accession Treaty was highlighted at the meeting, bearing in mind that such a document is being prepared after more than a decade since the last enlargement and in complex geopolitical circumstances.

 

“The interlocutors expressed their shared commitment to closing all negotiation chapters by the end of this year, so that Montenegro would be ready for EU accession in 2028”, the press release adds.

 

Macron, as reported, praised Montenegro’s reform results and emphasized that France remains a strong partner of Montenegro on its European path, expressing readiness to strengthen cooperation, especially at the expert level.

 

“He stated that he is very optimistic about Montenegro, adding that the country has done a tremendous job”, the press release said.

 

Macron, as stated by the Government, pointed out that Montenegro holds special importance because it shows that EU enlargement is possible and achievable, and that its success gives hope to others.

 

Spajic pointed out that Montenegro, with 14 provisionally closed chapters and others in the final phase of closure, is the most advanced EU candidate country and a key indicator of the credibility of the enlargement policy.

 

“Montenegro is making progress in all areas. We don’t want shortcuts, but fair recognition of our results, since everything we do in line with the rules. In a time of geopolitical challenges, Montenegro can represent a shared victory in the context of EU enlargement after a long time”, said Spajic.

 

He underscored that the rule of law remains an absolute priority for Montenegro.

 

Spajic thanked France for supporting the establishment of the Western Balkans Cyber ​​Capacity Centre (WB3C).

 

The press release adds that the meeting also stressed the improvement of cooperation between the two countries after the signing of the intergovernmental agreement between Montenegro and France.

 

“In this context, the signing of the Agreement on the construction of the University Clinical Centre of Montenegro was announced for the next week, after the Montenegrin Government adopted in February the information on the proposed criteria for the selection of contractors for the implementation of this important project”, the press release says.

 

The government pointed out that the meeting between Spajic and Macron, the second in the past two years, was held ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which will be held in Montenegro on June 5, with the participation of the French President, marking a historic visit.