Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Peter Szijjarto said that Montenegro is ready for European Union (EU) membership.
Szijjarto met with his counterpart Filip Ivanovic during his visit to Montenegro.
Following the closed-door meeting, the ministers held a joint press conference.
Stating that the EU is facing economic and security problems, Szijjarto noted that new energy and dynamism is needed from outside, adding, “We believe that this new energy can come from the Western Balkans and ambitious countries that are ready for this kind of cooperation.”
Stating that the EU’s expansion process is progressing slowly for the Western Balkans, Szijjarto said that one of his country’s priorities will be to accelerate the process.
Szijjarto underlined that Montenegro’s membership would bring many benefits to the EU, saying, “The Hungarian government’s stance is clear, Montenegro is ready for EU membership.”
Ivanovic also expressed that they attach importance to the support Hungary gives to his country on its path to EU membership.
“The determination and commitment to constructive dialogue has resulted in the establishment and preservation of political stability in the country,” Ivanovic said, adding that they will continue to make progress on the fundamental reforms that their citizens expect of them.
Montenegro received EU candidate status in 2010
After declaring its independence in 2006, Montenegro made its official application for EU membership on 15 December 2008 and received the status of “candidate country” on 17 December 2010.
Montenegro, which started accession negotiations on 29 June 2012, is expected to become the next member of the EU.
Having signed the first official document with NATO (Partnership for Peace Framework Document) on December 14, 2006, the country received the status of NATO’s 29th member on June 5, 2017.
