Montenegro has made significant progress in judicial reforms and EU accession chapters, Deputy Prime Minister Filip Ivanović said on Thursday, adding that the country aims to join the European Union by 2028.
Speaking in an interview with Slovak TV channel TA3 during an official visit to Bratislava, Ivanović highlighted improvements in Chapters 23 and 24, covering the rule of law, anti-corruption, and the fight against organized crime. “We have achieved important results, but by the end of next year we must further strengthen the independence of judicial institutions and deliver concrete results against corruption and organized crime,” he said.
Ivanović also noted the strong bilateral relations between Montenegro and Slovakia and the potential to expand economic cooperation in sectors including tourism, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and education. He emphasized tourism as a key driver, contributing about a quarter of Montenegro’s GDP, and stressed the potential to increase Slovak tourist arrivals through better promotion and air connectivity.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Montenegro’s EU aspirations, citing the latest European Commission report that recognizes the country as a functional democracy with an active parliament. “Our plan is to complete the accession negotiations and close all chapters by the end of 2026, allowing time for ratification and EU membership in 2028,” Ivanović said. He added that Slovakia is among the strongest supporters of Montenegro’s accession.
On organized crime, Ivanović said past challenges had been significant but progress has been made through reforms and international cooperation. “We have investigations, indictments, and soon we expect high-profile court rulings. We work closely with EU institutions and partners from the UK and the U.S. Problems such as illegal tobacco trade, once a major issue, have largely been resolved,” he said.
During the visit, Ivanović met Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár to discuss EU integration, regional cooperation, and future agreements aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.