Podgorica, (MINA) - Montenegro has a historic opportunity to complete the EU accession process and has got no time to lose, said Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Podgorica Riccardo Serri, adding that further progress depends on specific reforms in the coming months.

According to the press release from the Ministry of European Affairs, Serri made these remarks during a meeting of the EU-Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee between (JCC), held in Podgorica on Friday.

According to him, the accession process must be led not only by institutions, but also in partnership with civil society.

Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic said that the start of drafting the Accession Treaty represents the final stage of the negotiation process and a clear signal that Montenegro’s EU membership is a goal expected to be achieved by 2028.

“I believe that Montenegro’s EU path must be a project of the entire society. This implies not only a critical approach, but also the responsibility to jointly recognize and affirm the successes that bring us closer to membership and promote Montenegro as the next EU member”, stated Gorcevic.

Co-chair from European side Danko Relic said that EU-Montenegro JCC continues to play a key role in strengthening dialogue between institutions, social partners and civil society in the EU accession process.

He pointed out that he is particularly encouraged by the strong political commitment, which is confirmed by the participation of senior government representatives.

Co-chair from the Montenegrin side Srdja Kekovic said that the negotiation process is taking quite a long time, but that Montenegro has never been closer to the goal.

He called on all decision-makers, especially in the Parliament and the Government of Montenegro, to set aside their political and other interests and commit to meeting the deadlines in fulfilling the final benchmarks in the remaining chapters, in order to meet the citizens’ expectations for Montenegro to become an EU member by 2028.