site.btaUPDATED Montenegro Currently Ahead of All Candidate Countries for EU Membership, Says PM Zhelyazkov

Montenegro is currently leading all candidate countries for membership in the European Union, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said in Podgorica. He noted that all negotiation chapters are open and negotiations are proceeding intensively. However, to this end, certain issues accompanying the Balkan agenda must be resolved, such as  issues of a bilateral nature, and, of course, advocacy must be conducted with European Union countries that are, to a certain extent, skeptical of any form of accession to unions, the Prime Minister added.

Zhelyazkov recalled that for many years Bulgaria suffered from being prepared for Schengen, but this process was delayed. “Our role is to support the efforts of all countries that, based on their own merits, are ready for membership to be assessed,” he noted.

He added that he and President Jakov Milatovic had a one-on-one political conversation first and then spoke more during the bilateral meetings of the delegations. The main topic was the enlargement of the Western Balkans and Montenegro's accession to the European Union. The Prime Minister explained that the ambitious programme of the Montenegrin government is for this to happen by 2028, with all negotiation chapters completed by the end of next year. This requires great effort, Zhelyazkov noted.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Montenegro. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic held a one-on-one meeting on Monday. The focus of their conversation was on the excellent bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest, as well as Montenegro's path to EU membership, regional cooperation and security, and partnership within NATO, the Council of Ministers said. 

Bulgaria is a staunch supporter of Montenegro's European perspective, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said in Podgorica after signing documents between the two countries.