Podgorica, (MINA) - Next year, more than ever, Montenegro will need national unity to reach its EU membership goal, European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on Tuesday, noting that 2026 will be decisive.

Speaking at a press conference with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, following the Intergovernmental Conference at which Montenegro closed five chapters, she said that Montenegro is a frontrunner in EU integration and that this is best demonstrated by the results.

“We are happy that it is possible. This is a big step forward and a remarkable result for the Montenegrin authorities, also for all the people of Montenegro, but also for us in the EU”, said Kos.

She assessed that the hardest part is ahead and that the European Commission (EC) should support Montenegro in order to close the remaining chapters next year.

“To achieve this, you will have to run fast. To reach this finish line, Montenegro now needs to accelerate reforms”, ​​Kos added.

She emphasized that reforms in the rule of law will be key, as well as that the priority is to ensure independent judiciary, as well as to continue strong fight against organized crime and high-level corruption.

“Free and independent media are the backbone of democracy. Finally, we expect full alignment with the EU visa policy, in order to build trust among member states”, said Kos.

She stated that this year was the most successful so far, adding that she is convinced that the next one will be even better.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said that Montenegro is ready to enter 2026 with the energy to close all chapters by the end of the year.

“Our goal is a safe and strong Europe. We Europeans must be united”, said Spajic.

According to him, at a time when many centers of power are trying to impose their agendas, Europeans cannot have a greater ideal than united Europe of all its citizens.

Spajic remarked that closing of five chapters brings additional confidence to the negotiation process.

According to him, with Montenegro, the EU gains a member that, in a relatively short time, from the poorest republic of the former Yugoslavia, with development, values ​​and standards, is now neck to neck with some of the member states.

Minister for European Affairs of Denmark Marie Bjerre said that the closing of the chapters demonstrates that Montenegro continues to advance at an impressive pace.

“With these chapters closed, Montenegro has strengthened the foundation for the next phase of negotiations”, said Bjerre, adding that they recognize the political commitment in Montenegro.

Bjerre said that Denmark will continue to support Montenegro and all candidate countries, stressing that Montenegro has demonstrated resilience and commitment.

Asked by journalists how many chapters Montenegro could close in the first half of next year, Kos said that it solely depends on Montenegro.

According to her, if the reforms are implemented more quickly, there will be more reasons to celebrate.

Asked how Montenegro plans to close a large number of remaining chapters next year, Spajic said that the closing of five chapters today shows that this is an achievable goal.

“With the work we have just shown in the past couple of months, I am absolutely optimistic that we can make it, and that our goal of closing all the chapter by 2026, now it becomes more and more clear that it is realistic”, Spajic said.

According to him, closing five chapters at once shows Montenegro’s capability to meet expectations, but also of the EC and member states to process that work.

Spajic said that there are more than 100 laws currently in the parliamentary procedure.

“There is a tsunami of change that is happening now in Montenegro. We are getting ready to make sure that everything is done by the end of next year”, Spajic said.