Von Der Leyen: Montenegro in EU by 2028 Ambitious Goal That Requires Work

Ursula von der Leyen (BETAPHOTO/European Parliament/Alexis HAULOT)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Podgorica on Oct. 26 that the European Union was staunchly with Montenegro, whose admission into the 27-nation bloc by 2028 was an "ambitious goal" that required work.

We are with you, to support you as much as we can, Von der Leyen said at a joint news conference with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, going on to say that the accession requirements were clear, and that Montenegro had made strides, with whose speed and quality she was impressed. She went on to note that the process was a merit-based one, but that she was sure that the targets would be reached.

Von der Leyen visited Montenegro as part of a regional tour during which she also met with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic. Late in June, the EU positively rated Montenegro for its fulfillment of temporary measures for membership within Chapters 23 and 24 (on the rule of law and security), moving Montenegro to a new stage of membership negotiations, which started in 2014.

The president of the European Commission stressed the importance of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, recalling that the allotment for Montenegro was EUR380 million, EUR27 million of which would be accessible by the end of the year. Prime Minister Spajic said Montenegro was "ready for progress and economic advancement" and that he expected it to become an EU member by the end of 2028.