Remarks by Commissioner Várhelyi at the press conference with Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium and Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro following the 16th Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro

16th Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro

I think it is very clear today that enlargement is a clear and necessary geostrategic investment in our own long-term peace, stability, security throughout the continent. It is a top priority across all EU institutions. And today we have made a very important decision to take us further down that road.

Of course, this Commission is ready to do more, even in the remaining days of its current mandate.

Today is a historic moment. I would like to thank my Montenegrin colleagues for their efforts to accelerate and deepen the EU related reforms, something we have been waiting for a long time when it comes to Montenegro.

Today we have witnessed the success of this work, we have witnessed the achievement, and we have witnessed Montenegro moving forward finally on its journey towards the EU membership.

Because there should be no mistake, this IGC demonstrates that the EU is ready to move ahead on enlargement, and now we will open the final phase of our negotiations with Montenegro. This is the final phase of accession negotiations, meaning that accession is imminent.

I also want to thank the Belgian Presidency. Although Minister Lahbib was very modest by saying that she was only witnessing this, this is not True. They have been working very hard together with us to make this happen and I want to thank the Belgian Presidency. I also want to thank all the Member States for their support in this work, because I think what we have achieved in the last six months is not only remarkable but could be an example for others to follow.

The IGC demonstrates clearly that the Commission stands by the side of the candidate countries and that we are determined to implement the necessary reforms together with these countries, but we cannot do it instead of them. And Montenegro gave us the example how it is when we have commitment and delivery on the side of candidate countries.

This process is a merit based one, as we all know. So, we have to be very clear that it was thanks to the work of Montenegro in the first place that we got here.

So, we need continued political will and commitment to continue on this path. And I was very much encouraged today by the clear commitment from the Prime Minister to continue on this road.

Accession negotiations are also the most powerful transformative tools when it comes to the candidate countries to continue their own modernization, including Montenegro. And this should also bring increased prosperity and stability for the benefit of all in Montenegro.

Looking ahead, of course, now it is very important that we use the momentum that we have created, meaning that we should now start closing the chapters whenever the chapters are ready to be closed. On our side, we will for sure do everything to make it happen in the next coming months.

Thank you!