Commissioner Kos in Montenegro to support path to EU accession

Today and tomorrow, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is in Montenegro to discuss the country's progress on its EU accession path.

Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 16. Last week, the European Commission presented a financial package for Montenegro, setting out the budgetary arrangements that would apply to Montenegro upon its accession to the European Union. This followed the recent agreement by Member States to start drafting the Accession Treaty with the country.

Today in Podgorica, Commissioner Kos will take part in the celebrations marking Montenegro's Statehood Day with President Jakov Milatović.

Tomorrow, Commissioner Kos will meet Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to take stock of recent progress on reforms related to Montenegro's EU path and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. She will underline the need to maintain reform momentum to keep Montenegro on track with its ambitious timeline for negotiation. The Commissioner will also meet the Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, Andrija Mandić, and opposition representatives, to underline the importance of the sustained political commitment and cross-party unity to advance the country's EU agenda.

In Kotor, Commissioner Kos will visit the Institute of Marine Biology and take part in the Great Kotor Bay seabed clean-up event with Prime Minister Spajić. The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss the nature protection reforms Montenegro is required to carry out to make progress towards provisionally closing further negotiating chapters.