Taoiseach’s remarks on visit of President Milatović of Montenegro

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I am delighted to welcome Montenegro’s President, Jakov Milatović to Ireland today, the first by a President of Montenegro.

His visit marks a very special moment in Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Montenegro.

It is twenty years since Montenegro regained its independence, and 2026 also marks twenty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

While this visit by President Milatović is an opportunity to reflect on just how close our two countries have grown, this is also very much a forward-looking visit.

Montenegro is the most advanced of the candidate countries on their EU accession path, a fact that was confirmed by the European Commission in their assessment of last year.

Recent efforts by Montenegro to seize the momentum of your EU accession and to undertake wide ranging reforms have been remarkable, and should be commended.

Ireland was part of the first Enlargement of the then EEC in 1973.

We have experienced the transformational impact of our EU membership and the incalculable benefits membership has brought.

The people of Montenegro are as ambitious for their country as the Irish people were in 1973. They too should enjoy the benefits of EU membership.

In Ireland, we believe that all European countries should have the opportunity to join the European Union once they meet the necessary agreed criteria to do so.

Enlarging the EU is the best foreign policy tool we have to ensure the security and prosperity of our continent.

We are well aware of malign influences seeking to destabilise both the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. The accession of new member states will provide stability for us all.

It is in this context that Ireland is also deepening our engagement with the Western Balkans region more broadly.

This is a region in which Ireland has a proud and deep history, particularly through members of our Defence Forces currently serving in missions in the Western Balkans, in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Some candidate countries have been in the EU accession process for almost twenty years. We cannot take for granted these long-held aspirations for EU membership.

We have a generational opportunity before us.

Ireland’s EU Presidency later this year may well coincide with significant progress on Montenegro’s path towards EU membership as well as others.

Montenegro has set an ambition to close all remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026, which is a significant challenge.

The people of Montenegro have put the hard yards in implementing the necessary reforms and you, President Milatovic, and your government have provided the political leadership.

I believe that the EU must match your ambition, hard work and political leadership.

During our meeting today, I assured President Milatovic that Ireland will do everything in our power, working with the European Commission and the Member States, to advance Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations during our Presidency of the EU.

We share your ambition to close as many, if not all, negotiating chapters by the end of this year.

I know this year is a busy diplomatic year for Montenegro. In addition to your EU aspirations, you will also chair the Berlin Process for regional cooperation, assume the chair of the Council of Europe later this year, and host the EU-Western Balkans Summit in June, which I look forward to attending.

In the midst of such a busy year of diplomatic engagement, I am delighted, President Milatovic, that you have taken the time to travel to Ireland.

It is a clear demonstration of the importance being placed on strengthening our bilateral ties.

Thank you, Jakov, for your visit, and please know that Montenegro always has a friend in Ireland.

I look forward to our continued cooperation over the course of our EU Presidency, and in the years to come.

Thank you.

ENDS