Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s EU membership would send a strong signal to the countries of the Western Balkans that enlargement is possible and that it is a merit based process, said the country’s president Jakov Milatovic during a meeting with a delegation of the European Affairs Committee of the French Senate.

According to the press release from Milatovic office he discussed Montenegro’s European path, the final phase of the accession negotiations and the renewed momentum of the EU enlargement policy with the delegation led by Committee chair Jean-Francois Rapin.

Milatovic pointed out that France plays an important role in shaping enlargement policy and strengthening the credibility of the European project.

He noted that the recent first official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Montenegro is an important confirmation of the friendship between the two countries and support for Montenegro’s European bid.

Milatovic reiterated that Montenegro remains committed to completing the negotiations this year and becoming a full member of the EU by 2028.

“Montenegro has demonstrated that it knows where it belongs. Our European orientation is not a matter of one political moment, but rather a social consensus, state strategy and citizens’ choice”, said Milatovic.

The press release adds that the importance of European integration for the stability of the region was also pointed out during the meeting.