Montenegro has received strong support from Germany and France as the country works to complete its European Union accession negotiations by the end of the year, officials said at a press conference in Podgorica.
Montenegro’s Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, met with Germany’s Minister of State for Europe, Gunther Krichbaum, and France’s Minister Delegate for Europe, Benjamin Haddad. The officials said Montenegro is currently making the fastest progress among EU candidate countries and remains a frontrunner in the enlargement process.
Gorčević thanked Berlin and Paris for their continued support, calling this a key year for Montenegro’s EU path. She said the government’s focus remains on reforms, strengthening the rule of law and meeting the goal of closing all negotiation chapters with the EU by the end of 2026.
She also pointed to the creation of a working group for drafting Montenegro’s EU accession treaty as an important step forward.
Krichbaum said Montenegro is now seen as a leader in the EU accession process, but stressed that progress depends not only on the government, but also on the opposition and all political actors in the country.
“We are doing this for the citizens, for our children,” Krichbaum said, adding that Montenegro’s role in the Berlin Process is also important for regional stability.
The German official said the visit was intended to send a clear message that peace, unity and social prosperity remain possible through European integration. He also said Germany wants to see Montenegro become part of the European “club.”
Haddad congratulated Montenegro on its results in the EU negotiation process, saying the country’s progress sends an important message to the wider Western Balkans. He emphasized that EU enlargement is based on merit and reforms, while also pointing to the Franco-German partnership as a possible model for reconciliation and cooperation in the region.
Both officials underlined that Montenegro’s accession would carry broader significance for the Western Balkans, showing that reforms and commitment to European standards can be rewarded.
Krichbaum also said that, after Montenegro closes all negotiation chapters, the next step would be the ratification of the accession treaty by EU member states. According to him, some other countries in the region remain much further from that goal.
