Dublin, (MINA) – Ireland supports Montenegro’s ambition to close all EU negotiation chapters by the end of the year, and this will be one of the priorities of Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), said Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

He said this at a press conference with the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, in Dublin.

Martin said that Ireland believes all European countries that meet the criteria should be given the opportunity to become EU members, adding that the enlargement is the EU’s most effective foreign policy tool for ensuring security and prosperity of the continent. 

He noted that Ireland’s presidency, which is to start in July, could coincide with Montenegro’s significant progress on its EU accession path, recalling the country’s ambitious goal of closing all remaining negotiation chapters by the end of the year.

This, as he stated, represents a significant challenge, and the citizens and authorities in Montenegro have invested considerable effort in implementing the necessary reforms.

“I believe that the EU must respond to your ambition, hard work and political leadership”, said Martin.

He emphasized that Ireland would do everything in its power, in cooperation with the European Commission and the member states, to advance Montenegro’s accession negotiations during its presidency.

When asked about the proposal for alternative models of Montenegro’s EU accession and the possibility of membership without the right to vote, Martin underlined that there is only one set of rules governing EU accession, and that, in Ireland’s view, Montenegro should become a full member.

Asked about the main challenges that could prevent Montenegro from closing all chapters by the end of the year, Martin said that Ireland shares Montenegro’s objective and that achieving this would be a key goal during its presidency.

Milatovic said that his visit to Dublin comes at an important moment not only for Montenegro and Ireland, but also for the future of EU enlargement.

He added that the visit marks a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, and reiterated that Montenegro views enlargement as an external stronghold and a roadmap for reforms.

“For Montenegro, which is a frontrunner among candidate countries, 2026 will be decisive. During the Cypriot presidency, we expect to begin drafting the Accession Treaty”, said Milatovic.

He added that Montenegro’s closing all chapters during Ireland’s presidency would not represent a success for Montenegro, but would send a strong message that EU enlargement remains credible.

Milatovic told the press that he and the Government are doing everything to make the country progresses in line with the roadmap and accelerates the reforms.

“Together with our friends from Cyprus, as well as our friends from Ireland, we are striving to close all chapters by the end of the year, so that we can achieve the ultimate goal, becoming the 28th EU member by 2028”, said Milatovic.

When asked by journalists about the potential new membership model and voting rights, Milatovic reiterated that Montenegro is following the existing roadmap, stressing that it is a map towards full membership.

“We are doing our part, which means speeding up the reforms and closing the negotiation chapters”, said Milatovic, adding that this is the scenario he currently believes in.