Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović: “Russian influences have failed”

There is an “agreement with the EU Commission that – if we stick to our path – a conclusion of the talks at the end of 2026 is almost certain.” Then EU accession could be completed in 2028. A change to the EU statutes for Montenegro is not necessary, “because after Great Britain leaves there would be room for a new 28th member,” argued Ivanović. Montenegro is also a small country with only around 600,000 inhabitants. “But the internal reform process is a matter for the EU members, we cannot interfere with that. Our job is to meet all the criteria by the end of the year.”

Montenegro is considered a pioneer among the six candidate countries in the Western Balkans. Ivanović reported that the current government has closed almost half of the negotiating chapters with the EU. There is a broad commitment to European integration.

“Russian attempts to influence have failed.”

Ivanović emphasized that Montenegro is also clearly oriented towards the EU in terms of foreign and economic policy. “Russian attempts at influence – if any – have failed,” he emphasized. Montenegro is different from other countries in the region not dependent on Russian gas. “The weaker the EU is, the stronger other actors like Russia are. The smaller the EU’s presence in the Western Balkans, the greater the influence of other countries,” Ivanović called for “a strong presence” of the EU in the region.

The Montenegrin deputy prime minister also tried to allay concerns about excessive Chinese influence in his country. It is “not the case” that a Chinese loan for highway construction in the country would be too great a burden. “We see China as a partner, but we do not forget our foreign policy priorities: these are the EU and NATO,” emphasized Ivanović.