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Dear Prime Minister, dear Milojko, thank you for hosting me today in in Montenegro. As you say, Montenegro is a highly valued partner and that is why we also start from Montenegro because you have made such good developments on your European accession path, and these meetings give me the opportunity to reaffirm our support to Montenegro’s journey towards the European Union.  

I also welcome your commitment to reforms because of course we know that to do the accession process you have to go through some really difficult reforms. I think this path is both impressive and also inspiring to the other Western Balkan countries. As you know, there are no shortcuts, so it is clearly necessary that the significant reports are done, and therefore I also welcome the recent agreement with the opposition, to really allow the Parliament to resume its work – it is extremely important.   

I am also proud that the European Union, through our good ambassador, Mr Sattler, could facilitate this compromise. Now we have to keep the focus on the reforms because there are still many to do. And I can assure you that we are there for you on every step. The EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is also designed to support countries in the region move closer to European [Union] membership and it is focusing on boosting the economic growth and accelerating also socio-economic convergence, because I always say that [the] European Union is like a convergence machine. It helps really to lift all the countries. 

I am also pleased that the prepayment of over €26 million will be disbursed to Montenegro already this month. And today we also discussed the importance of enhancing the security cooperation. We are living in these very turbulent times and therefore really need to strengthen our defence cooperation. On the European Peace Facility the EU is providing €6 million worth of military equipment to Montenegro. Later today, I will also go with the Defence Minister to see first-hand what equipment will be provided.  

Also, Montenegro is benefiting from EU support to the Balkan Medical Taskforce with a package of strengthening military medical capabilities, which is also very important. These are just [a] few tangible examples of the cooperation that we do regarding security and also regarding Montenegro's security. We also discussed several issues, also Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. And therefore, I am also very grateful to Montenegro for supporting the UN resolution when it comes to Ukraine, Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and the UN Charter. As we know, coming from small countries, the UN charter is the umbrella that protects all the small countries and therefore it is very important that we stick to those values. We know that we can fully count on Montenegro's continued support. Also, as you have generously welcomed the Ukrainian refugees here in your small country – I understand that [there are] more refugees per capita than in any other country in the world – this is also a major contribution to the people of Ukraine.  

Additionally, of course, what interests me on this trip and is of great concern, is the region and the security situation in the region. So, when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, I will also visit Sarajevo tomorrow, but we cannot tolerate attacks against the country sovereignty, unity and its constitutional order.  

Political leaders have a primary responsibility to dispel today's crisis and work together to advance the country along the European Union path. They must bridge the divisions, not widen them. This is essential for stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and [in the] wider region. And of course we have Operation ALTHEA, we have recently also increased the number of troops on the ground to reassure the local population and support local authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment. I think [it] is important that there is no security vacuum emerging. Thank you, again for this good meeting and our commitment to [a] peaceful and stable region remains resolute. 

Thank you again. 

Q&A 

Q. [in Montenegrin] 

Thank you for the question, I think that the economic development of Montenegro is definitely in the interests of European Union, and we also interested in the economic portfolio [being] diversified. Of course, what is important is that all the laws and commitments of Montenegro are followed in the course of this and that there is a level playing field because European companies are also interested in investing in in Montenegro in general, so the level playing field is extremely important. Thank you. 

Q. [in Montenegrin] 

Thank you. This is an ongoing process, we have the new EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, and we are sitting down with him also to see what works and what does not work. What is important for us is the normalisation of the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, because without that none of them can proceed along their European path. So, what we are doing during this month is to sit down with the Special Representative to really go through what are the mistakes on the way, what works what does not work, to put new fire to this process of normalisation of the two countries relations. 

Q. [in Montenegrin] 

Thank you. Of course, it is important for us that Montenegro really goes on this European path. The EU progress depends of course on our side, on all the Member States. So, everybody has to be on board. It is a very complicated process, as every step on the way needs to have a vote of all the Member States. Therefore, there is no consensus currently on the Chapter 31, although we are working very hard on this. [As] I said also to the Prime Minister that you know, the development of good relations with your neighbouring countries would also help on this way. I am hopeful that we move on. On our side we will do the work, so that we can open the chapters as the process goes and Montenegro can finally join the European Union. 

Q. [in Montenegrin] 

First on the foreign interference, we see this more and more in different processes and that is why all these election monitoring missions are extremely important to secure free and fair elections. But it is very hard to fight the foreign interference. We see that everywhere, because of the, social media and all the tools that are available. I think we also need to develop our rules for electoral monitoring, go further to see. What we are doing on the European side is to share the best practises in order to see whether there is foreign interference and to address this. If people know, it is easier to fight [against it] but it is hard everywhere. It is very hard.  

Now, when it comes to the agreement, I am sure your Parliament is also scrutinising the agreements on Montenegro’s side. So like I said, for us it is important that all the laws and commitments that Montenegro has made to the European Union are followed, and [that] there is no difference there. And it is also important that there is a level playing field and that everybody has equal opportunities. Thank you. 

Link to the video (starting at 4:07) : https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270481