WEBVTT NOTE Brussels Live. Transcribed and translated automatically from the original sound. Mistakes are possible. Independent service, not affiliated with the European Parliament or the European Commission. Source: © European Union. AI-generated: Transcripts, translations and summaries on this site are generated automatically by AI: speech recognition (Soniox), machine translation and summaries (Mistral AI). Not edited by humans before publication. EU AI Act, Article 50. 00:00:10.067 --> 00:00:13.744 Bear with us a second. Oh, amazing. Sorry. 00:00:14.027 --> 00:00:17.575 Afternoon, everyone, and welcome to this press conference following today's EU 00:00:17.644 --> 00:00:21.612 Montenegro intergovernmental conference. We're joined by Ireland's Minister of State 00:00:21.647 --> 00:00:25.393 for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, and the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko 00:00:25.457 --> 00:00:27.587 Spajić. I'll first give the floor to Minister Byrne. 00:00:28.247 --> 00:00:30.128 Thanks very much, and good afternoon, everybody. 00:00:30.167 --> 00:00:35.987 Good afternoon, Prime Minister. Today, Montenegro took another significant step on 00:00:36.141 --> 00:00:41.621 its EU path. It was a great pleasure to chair the 30th accession conference for 00:00:41.671 --> 00:00:46.211 Montenegro, and to be joined by Prime Minister Spajić, and by the Director General 00:00:46.270 --> 00:00:52.412 for Enlargement, DG Koopman. The momentum of Montenegro toward EU membership is 00:00:52.469 --> 00:00:57.669 significant, and very encouraging. The Council today confirmed that Montenegro is 00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:03.318 ready to close two additional negotiating chapters, namely Chapter 1 on free 00:01:03.397 --> 00:01:08.913 movement of goods, and Chapter 12 on food safety, veterinary, and phytosanitary 00:01:09.015 --> 00:01:16.040 policy. Montenegro has now closed 23 negotiating chapters, meaning two-thirds of the 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:21.878 negotiating chapters required. So the goal of concluding technical negotiations 00:01:21.947 --> 00:01:29.682 during the Irish presidency is in sight. Nobody wants or indeed expects shortcuts in 00:01:29.777 --> 00:01:36.475 the process. But shortcomings in this process are not what we want or expect either. 00:01:36.587 --> 00:01:41.702 The Irish presidency remains determined to facilitate Montenegro's goal of closing 00:01:41.770 --> 00:01:46.714 all chapters by the end of the year, and we will work closely with Montenegro with 00:01:46.756 --> 00:01:51.837 European Commission, and indeed with fellow member states, to facilitate this goal. 00:01:52.007 --> 00:01:57.172 We cannot do it without the member states, and I'm very grateful for all of their 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:01.532 work. This intergovernmental conference demonstrates that Montenegro's accession 00:02:01.600 --> 00:02:05.530 process is advancing at an impressive pace. 00:02:05.627 --> 00:02:10.082 This extraordinary momentum was reflected in the 2026 enlargement report, which the 00:02:10.147 --> 00:02:15.462 Commission published this week. And I want to thank Commissioner Martha Kos for her 00:02:15.555 --> 00:02:20.562 leadership in this regard. The enlargement report highlighted the significant number 00:02:20.611 --> 00:02:25.667 of reforms implemented by Montenegro over the past year, while also identifying the 00:02:25.727 --> 00:02:30.914 remaining steps needed to further align national legislation with the key of the 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:36.519 European Union. Crucially, the report confirms that Montenegro has met all closing 00:02:36.587 --> 00:02:42.202 benchmarks to conclude technical negotiations under the Irish presidency. 00:02:42.287 --> 00:02:46.547 Montenegro's goal of closing all chapters is achievable during our presidency. 00:02:47.807 --> 00:02:52.517 The Irish presidency encourages Montenegro to maintain the momentum and to implement 00:02:52.565 --> 00:02:57.460 the outstanding measures necessary to become the next member of the European Union. 00:02:57.527 --> 00:03:02.084 As we witnessed at the Berlin process, leaders summit in Montenegro two weeks ago, 00:03:02.147 --> 00:03:06.196 the commitment of Montenegro to the European Union, and crucially to the values of 00:03:06.250 --> 00:03:11.460 the European Union, is absolutely clear. The Irish presidency then will spare no 00:03:11.503 --> 00:03:16.899 effort in supporting Montenegro on its EU path, with the member states, with the aim 00:03:16.944 --> 00:03:20.535 of welcoming Montenegro into our union in 2028. 00:03:20.687 --> 00:03:24.707 The future of Montenegro lies in the European Union. 00:03:24.827 --> 00:03:31.307 The end of the negotiations is in sight, but for now, the hard work does continue. 00:03:31.367 --> 00:03:32.567 Thank you. 00:03:33.347 --> 00:03:35.267 Thank you, Minister. Prime Minister, the floor is yours. 00:03:36.407 --> 00:03:38.027 Thank you very much, Dear Thomas. 00:03:39.527 --> 00:03:45.977 Dear citizens of Montenegro, we are concluding this excellent, great week for both 00:03:46.053 --> 00:03:52.835 Podgorica and Brussels. Today we closed two more negotiating chapters, bringing the 00:03:52.877 --> 00:03:54.827 total to more than two-thirds of all chapters. 00:03:55.607 --> 00:04:00.579 Todays ago, the European Commission presented what I'm convinced will be its final 00:04:00.645 --> 00:04:03.580 report on Montenegro as a candidate country. 00:04:03.647 --> 00:04:08.513 Together with roadmap for our accession, as part of the enlargement package, which 00:04:08.567 --> 00:04:14.987 comes after full 15 years. Today we closed two more negotiating chapters. 00:04:15.107 --> 00:04:20.101 This brings the total number of closed chapters to 23 out of 33. 00:04:20.267 --> 00:04:24.920 All member states gave the green light to Chapter 1, free movement of goods, and 00:04:25.011 --> 00:04:30.388 Chapter 12, food safety, veterinary, and phytosanitary policies. 00:04:30.467 --> 00:04:35.556 Chapter 1 is one of the most important and demanding chapters in the negotiations, 00:04:35.627 --> 00:04:41.067 as it's concerns the functioning of the European Union's single market. 00:04:41.147 --> 00:04:47.402 As for Chapter 12, its main focus is on food quality and safety controls at all 00:04:47.507 --> 00:04:50.861 stages, from production to the final consumer. 00:04:50.927 --> 00:04:56.889 I congratulate Montenegro's teams; our institutions and everyone who with the 00:04:56.937 --> 00:05:01.344 unwavering support of the European Commission and all the member states has done 00:05:01.401 --> 00:05:05.006 everything necessary to achieve this important result. 00:05:05.087 --> 00:05:10.889 At the IGC in January, we stated that 2026 would be the most decisive year on 00:05:10.962 --> 00:05:16.432 Montenegro's EU path. Now, as the year draws to a close, we are delivering on that 00:05:16.497 --> 00:05:20.493 very much commitment. It has not been easy. 00:05:20.567 --> 00:05:25.661 Behind every chapter closed and every demanding reform lie tremendous effort, 00:05:25.746 --> 00:05:31.877 difficult decisions, responsibility dedication, and strong determination. 00:05:31.967 --> 00:05:36.338 And the results are here. Our focus remains unchanged: 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:41.897 the rule of law, independent and accountable institutions, the fight against 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:47.860 organized crime and corruption, improving citizens' living standards, and fostering 00:05:47.927 --> 00:05:54.299 good neighborly relations. Our roadmap to accession is not a lengthy in terms of 00:05:54.362 --> 00:06:00.137 time, but it is exceptionally demanding. That is why we will continue to work 00:06:00.190 --> 00:06:06.712 diligently in the coming weeks to conclude the negotiations by end of this year. 00:06:06.887 --> 00:06:13.327 Sign the accession treaty in June 2027, and achieve our historic goal in 2028, 00:06:13.457 --> 00:06:19.797 becoming a member of the European Union. This is not merely the ambition of this 00:06:19.890 --> 00:06:24.167 government; it is a strategic national goal and a commitment 00:06:24.407 --> 00:06:28.795 that must transcend any political term of office. 00:06:28.907 --> 00:06:33.881 Today I would also like to thank all member states for their support in the closure 00:06:33.957 --> 00:06:39.259 of all the chapters to date. And to send a message, Montenegro is ready for all the 00:06:39.318 --> 00:06:42.385 remaining chapters and for the final stage. 00:06:42.467 --> 00:06:47.327 We expect our work, the results achieved, and obligations fulfilled to be duly 00:06:47.387 --> 00:06:51.311 acknowledged with European political determination. 00:06:51.407 --> 00:06:56.435 That is why I look forward to meeting again later this month and the next IGC with 00:06:56.507 --> 00:07:01.410 further chapters closed. And then, in December, which I'm convinced will provide the 00:07:01.465 --> 00:07:06.359 strongest political confirmation that we have crossed the threshold together beyond 00:07:06.431 --> 00:07:11.625 which we will be ready to take the final steps towards our historical goal, EU 00:07:11.695 --> 00:07:14.327 enlargement with Montenegro as part of it. 00:07:14.387 --> 00:07:15.587 Thank you very much. 00:07:16.487 --> 00:07:20.379 Thank you, Prime Minister. I'll now open the floor for questions. 00:07:20.447 --> 00:07:21.647 First, the gentleman there. 00:07:25.367 --> 00:07:28.025 Thank you very much. Ewan Vianeu is from Television of Montenegro. 00:07:28.067 --> 00:07:34.587 Mr. Byrne, we saw the roadmap for Montenegro, the ambitious but realistic, as you 00:07:34.667 --> 00:07:40.932 said. Did the Council discuss maybe the target date when Montenegro could join the 00:07:41.015 --> 00:07:47.990 European Union? And for Prime Minister Spajić, the signing of the accession treaty, 00:07:48.047 --> 00:07:54.187 with Montenegro in June, could coincide with the elections in Montenegro. 00:07:54.287 --> 00:07:58.425 So do you think that this government will sign the accession treaty? 00:07:58.487 --> 00:07:59.687 Thank you very much. 00:08:01.967 --> 00:08:07.707 I think 2028 is very achievable, but my main focus is on the remaining weeks of our 00:08:07.769 --> 00:08:13.546 presidency, and our targets to conclude the technical negotiations during that time. 00:08:13.607 --> 00:08:17.292 And I think that we can start talking about ifs or buts of the future, but we have 00:08:17.350 --> 00:08:21.575 the present now, and we're making really, really significant progress in the 00:08:21.654 --> 00:08:25.804 present. I think we've had quite a number of intergovernmental conferences. 00:08:25.847 --> 00:08:29.692 We've closed quite a number of chapters that are more to come. 00:08:29.747 --> 00:08:34.184 We've had today's intergovernmental conference out of sequence, in order that we can 00:08:34.247 --> 00:08:37.112 continue progress and keep the momentum up. 00:08:37.307 --> 00:08:41.166 And that's what the presidency is about, is to do that work, to have that finished 00:08:41.231 --> 00:08:46.744 during our presidency, and to let the rest of the work then complete next year, on 00:08:46.812 --> 00:08:51.657 the accession treaty negotiation and then membership after that. 00:08:51.707 --> 00:08:58.082 But we're absolutely focused on the present, and we're delivering in the present as 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:59.320 well. 00:09:00.167 --> 00:09:07.225 Exactly. And I think it's it is outstanding that European Commission came out so 00:09:07.301 --> 00:09:14.228 clearly stating the roadmap and the exact dates and this is something that we really 00:09:14.317 --> 00:09:20.093 are proud of, that this is a sign of political commitment, also on the technical 00:09:20.156 --> 00:09:24.825 side of things, as you know, we have submitted all the positions for all the 00:09:24.890 --> 00:09:27.833 negotiating chapters already to European Commission. 00:09:27.887 --> 00:09:32.452 Most of them are already with the Council, so we are working very hard. 00:09:32.507 --> 00:09:36.049 This year is the target that we close all the chapters, as we discussed many times 00:09:36.102 --> 00:09:41.190 so far. So this we go one step at a time. And I think now we have to put all of our 00:09:41.265 --> 00:09:44.210 focus on closing all the chapters this year. 00:09:44.267 --> 00:09:49.665 This is what really matters, and this is where rubber hits the road, where we really 00:09:49.727 --> 00:09:55.833 make the substantial difference. And the signing of the contract, agreement, sorry, 00:09:55.941 --> 00:09:58.967 is scheduled for June next year, and we hope it happens. 00:09:59.027 --> 00:10:04.067 So this is we are fully committed to this, and I'm sure it's achievable. 00:10:05.867 --> 00:10:07.427 Okay. Next to Viborg, please. 00:10:10.727 --> 00:10:13.787 Thank you. Viborg Vlainić, Croatian Radio Television. 00:10:13.847 --> 00:10:19.419 A question for both, for Prime Minister Spajić related to the open issues between 00:10:19.482 --> 00:10:24.851 Montenegro and Croatia. Two of eight issues were resolved recently. 00:10:25.007 --> 00:10:30.700 Do you expect any further progress on the rest of the issues in the future, in the 00:10:30.783 --> 00:10:38.515 closer future? And for Minister Byrne, how does the Irish presidency view those open 00:10:38.611 --> 00:10:45.107 issues that Croatia is claiming they are not just bilateral, but that they are tied 00:10:45.242 --> 00:10:50.357 to negotiating chapters and that they are basic values? 00:10:50.447 --> 00:10:51.647 Thank you. 00:10:52.127 --> 00:10:57.395 Thank you very much for the question. We are tirelessly working our teams from 00:10:57.435 --> 00:11:01.282 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro with a team from Croatia. 00:11:01.367 --> 00:11:08.207 We are tirelessly working on solving any potential bilateral issues that we might 00:11:08.267 --> 00:11:14.696 have. And obviously, Montenegro is not going to leave any stone unturned until we 00:11:14.884 --> 00:11:19.679 find European-style compromise on all the things that are potentially dividing us. 00:11:19.727 --> 00:11:24.961 So I think it's a great opportunity that we bring our two countries together in a 00:11:25.010 --> 00:11:26.210 European manner. 00:11:27.827 --> 00:11:33.876 Yeah, can I just say that I before the IGC, I met the Croatian State Secretary 00:11:33.951 --> 00:11:38.890 Andreja Metelko as Gombić, the State Secretary for European Affairs. 00:11:38.927 --> 00:11:42.124 We had a very good discussion, which focused on this process. 00:11:42.167 --> 00:11:46.376 I'm very grateful for the work of the Croatian government in allowing us to make 00:11:46.435 --> 00:11:50.580 such substantial progress here. And there's no doubt there are bilateral issues 00:11:50.627 --> 00:11:53.210 there, and there are always bilateral issues. 00:11:53.267 --> 00:11:57.998 We had the Marcelos as well, and still have them with neighbors. 00:11:58.127 --> 00:12:01.934 So that's normal. That's natural. But I am confident, and I'm meeting the Prime 00:12:01.974 --> 00:12:06.195 Minister separately now, after this, I'm confident that these are resolvable and 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.987 will be resolved. To everybody's satisfaction. 00:12:11.147 --> 00:12:15.061 Okay. If there's no other questions, I don't see any other hands. 00:12:15.107 --> 00:12:17.147 So we'll wrap up there. Thank you very much. 00:12:17.447 --> 00:12:18.647 Thank you. 00:12:21.467 --> 00:12:24.707 All right. Make more progress, yeah.