Tánaiste to meet Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Montenegro Filip Ivanović

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, will meet Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Montenegro Filip Ivanović who is travelling to Ireland this week for a series of engagements.

Speaking before the meeting, the Tánaiste said: “Ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union next year, I am delighted to be meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović. Maintaining and furthering momentum on EU Enlargement will be a priority for Ireland’s EU Presidency. This is an important opportunity to reaffirm Ireland’s strong support for Montenegro’s EU path and to discuss ongoing reforms underway there as they continue their journey towards EU membership. I also welcome the chance to discuss enhancing Ireland’s bilateral ties with Montenegro.”

Minister Byrne said: “I look forward to welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović to Ireland, following our meeting in Montenegro in July. The illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia has demonstrated the importance of EU enlargement, as an investment in a peaceful, secure and prosperous Europe.

“In July, I had the opportunity to travel to Montenegro to see for myself the impressive reforms underway there as they continue their momentum towards EU membership. I look forward to discussing Montenegro’s EU candidacy further, particularly in the context of Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency and how Ireland and Montenegro can also deepen our bilateral and economic relationship.”

ENDS

Press Office

11 September 2025