Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s accession to the European Union (EU) will strengthen the bloc and bring benefits for both sides, it was said at the meeting between Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis and Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajic.

Spajic and Babis, as announced by the Government, confirmed during the meeting at Villa Kramar in Prague that their shared goal is for Montenegro to join the EU in 2028.

“It was assessed that Montenegro will be ready on the day of accession to stand alongside the most developed countries in Europe and that it will further strengthen the EU,” the press release states.

Babis said that the Czech Republic supports Montenegro on its European path and that it can count on Czech continued support at every stage of the process.

Speaking at the press conference, he emphasized that Montenegro is ready to join the EU and that the has come for it to become a member.

“Montenegro has a bright future, the best prospects for joining the EU. I firmly believe it will become a member in 2028”, Babis said.

According to the Government, the completion of the accession negotiations is a chance to further strengthen the traditionally good bilateral relations between Montenegro and the Czech Republic.

Spajic said that the efficient cooperation of the administrations had led to swift implementation of that cooperation.

During the meeting, Spajic and Babis concluded that the planned opening of Montenegro’s embassy in Prague, expected by the end of the year, would be an important step forward in creating an even stronger ties between the two countries.