Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s accession to the EU by 2028 is realistic if the current pace of reforms and closing of negotiation chapters continues, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said.

He made this remark at a joint press conference with his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatovic in Bratislava.

According to the press release by Milatovic’s office, Pellegrini gave strong confirmation of Montenegro’s European perspective, assessing that the EU-Western Balkans Summit, held in June in Tivat, represented a turning point for Montenegro and a new momentum for EU enlargement.

Pellegrini said that Slovakia supports and wants Montenegro to become the 28th EU member state and that it will strongly advocate for the completion of its accession process.

“He pointed out that Montenegro’s accession to the EU by 2028 is realistic if the current pace of reforms and closing of negotiation chapters continues”, the press release states.

Pellegrini assessed that Montenegro is a frontrunner in the European integration process and that his country will continue to provide it with political and expert support.

He emphasized that enlargement is a strategic decision and that it remains high on Slovakia’s agenda, adding that the accession process of the Western Balkans will be one of the topics during Slovakia’s presidency of the Visegrad Group.

Milatovic said that Montenegro is entering the decisive phase of the European journey with a clear ambition to become the EU’s 28th member by 2028.

He pointed out that the strong political support of the member states is an important incentive for Montenegro to complete the final stage of the negotiation process and at the same time be ready for the first day of membership.

The press release states that the opening of the Embassy of Montenegro in Bratislava will provide an additional boost to the relations between the two countries.

Pellegrini said that this is a clear sign of interest in further deepening relations between the two countries.

“The opening of the Embassy is an important step towards even closer cooperation between our countries and a permanent address for stronger political, economic, cultural and educational ties”, said Milatovic.