Nicosia, Cyprus. The next steps in Montenegro’s accession to the European Union were discussed on Friday during a meeting in Nicosia between Deputy European Affairs Minister Marilena Raouna and Montenegro’s European Integration Minister Majda Gorcevic.
Cyprus position on enlargement
Raouna described the visit as significant “both symbolically and substantively”. She said that for the Cyprus presidency, enlargement is a key priority, adding that Cyprus understands “the transformative power of enlargement, having experienced it first-hand”.
Momentum in accession process
Raouna said there is renewed momentum in the enlargement process and urged that it be translated into tangible outcomes. “Where our partners deliver results, the European Union must also deliver,” she said.
Montenegro’s progress in talks
Raouna described Montenegro as a frontrunner in accession talks, citing its progress on reforms and full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy. “There is no better proof that you are strategically aligned with the European Union,” she said.
Intergovernmental conference and next steps
Raouna referred to a recent intergovernmental conference on Montenegro held under the Cyprus presidency, during which a chapter was closed, bringing the total to 13. She said the pace of progress reflected “impressive work” by Montenegrin authorities.
The meeting also covered the next stages of the common roadmap, preparations for further intergovernmental conferences and plans to establish a working group on Montenegro’s accession treaty.
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