Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic said that the inclusion of Montenegro in the European Union’s (EU) future budget framework is a clear signal that European institutions see the country as the next member state.

According to a press release from the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA), she participated in a panel in Brussels titled “Building Powerful International Partnerships Through the EU Budget”, held as part of the Annual EU Budget Conference. 

Gorcevic said that Montenegro’s inclusion in the Union’s future budget framework sends a clear signal that EU institutions view the country as the next EU member state.

"Montenegro’s negotiating progress has been followed by clear political signals from the Union. Everything we have witnessed in recent days and months shows that the EU recognizes the results we are achieving and that everyone is preparing for our membership," Gorcevic said. 

According to her, the key question is how the country will turn this into benefits for its citizens.