Podgorica, (MINA) – The support of the French National Assembly is of key importance for the ratification of Montenegro’s EU Accession Treaty, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said.

 

Spajic, as announced by his office, met with the chair of the Committee for European Affairs, Pieyere Alexandre Anglade, and members of the National Assembly of France.

 

Spajic stressed that relations between Montenegro and France are not only friendly, but strategic, based on mutual trust, continuous political dialogue and concrete cooperation, which has strengthened in recent years across all areas.

 

“I am fully aware that EU enlargement raises legitimate questions. Some express concern about the EU’s ability to expand without weakening itself. Others fear economic costs or social imbalances, while others highlight sovereignty and security issues”, said Spajic.

 

He pointed out that Montenegro’s accession does not pose a risk for Europe.

 

“It is an opportunity for Europe to become stronger”, said Spajic, adding that Montenegro is a stability factor in the Western Balkans.

 

He pointed out that Montenegrin society is multiethnic, multireligious and based on a culture of dialogue and compromise and fully shares European values.

 

“During 14 years of negotiations, we have implemented deep reforms: strengthening the rule of law, consolidating institutions, fighting against corruption and responsibly managing public finances”, Spajic said.

 

He also stressed that Montenegro is already a reliable partner in the field of security and that, as a NATO member, aligned with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, contributes to the stability of the continent in a geopolitical context marked by the war in Ukraine and the growth of hybrid threats.

 

He assessed that Montenegro’s EU accession would send a clear message to the entire Western Balkans.

 

“Reforms based on the merit principle deliver concrete results. They will strengthen regional stability and limit external influences that do not share European values”, Spajic stated.

 

According to him, the enlargement process does not only depend on the candidate countries, but also on the political will of the member states.

 

“After more than a decade of efforts, we are entering a decisive phase. The support of France and your Assembly will be of key importance for the ratification of the accession treaty. Montenegro is not asking for privilege, but for fair recognition of its efforts”, Spajic said.

 

Anglade, according to the press release, pointed out that Montenegro is the most advanced country in the EU accession process.

 

He noted that Montenegro’s determination brings results and that it is progressing rapidly, as evidenced by the drafting of the Accession Treaty. 

 

The announcement states that MPs from different political groups expressed interest in Montenegro’s alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy, regional stability, external influences, but also the diversification of the economy, the labor market and the opportunities that Montenegro’s membership in the EU will bring to young people.