Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro
Minister Ibrahimović on Montenegro’s strengthened EU path and international credibility
In an exclusive interview, Deputy Prime Minister Ervin Ibrahimović reviews Montenegro’s most dynamic year in diplomacy, highlighting milestones in EU negotiations, foreign policy commitments, and the country’s growing role on the international stage.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Ibrahimović, how would you evaluate the year now coming to an end from the perspective of the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to what extent are you satisfied with the results achieved and the progress made in Montenegro’s relations with international partners?
The year now drawing to a close has been exceptionally dynamic and significant for Montenegrin diplomacy. From the perspective of the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I can state with full responsibility that we have achieved visible and measurable progress that has also been recognised by our international partners. At the Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union and Montenegro, held in Brussels, Montenegro closed five negotiating chapters, marking one of the most significant advances to date in the course of the accession negotiations. The closure of these chapters has further confirmed our strong commitment to reforms and strengthened Montenegro’s position as the most advanced candidate in the enlargement process. In this way, Montenegro has entered the final phase of the accession process, which opens up the possibility of commencing work on the Treaty of Accession to the European Union.
Additional confirmation of this progress is provided by the latest European Commission Report it represents the most positive assessment Montenegro has received to date, accompanied by an unequivocal message that we are the most advanced candidate and the first next Member State of the European Union. These assessments constitute a strong encouragement for us to continue acting decisively, with dedication and in the spirit of European values. I am particularly pleased that progress has been achieved across the largest number of chapters, with very good results recorded in as many as six chapters. It is equally important to emphasise that there has been no stagnation or backsliding in any area, which demonstrates that our European course is stable and that the Government’s policy is guided by a clear, consistent and European based vision. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I am proud of the fact that an exceptional result has been achieved within Cluster 6, where the Ministry has a key role: in Chapter 31 Foreign, Security and Defence Policy we have achieved significant progress and a very advanced level of preparedness, which represents the highest possible assessments. In Chapter 30 External Relations good progress and a good level of preparedness for membership have been recognised.
At the same time, I remain aware that optimism must be accompanied by institutional responsibility. Chapters 23 and 24 remain the cornerstone of our accession process, and it is precisely in these areas that we must demonstrate full maturity the appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court, members of the Prosecutorial and Judicial Councils, and of the Council of the Agency for Media are obligations that we must fulfil in order to confirm that we have stable, independent and functional institutions. Ultimately, this is also the best way for citizens to feel that the European path delivers a more just society, more reliable institutions and a more efficient judicial system.
With regard to the concrete obligations arising from the Government’s Work Programme, the Ministry has so far implemented six activities, each of which is important in the context of our foreign policy priorities. We have successfully prepared the Information on the visa regime, which is key to alignment with EU policy; adopted the Action Plan for enhancing capacities for the implementation of restrictive measures, thereby confirming our full alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy; organised the Global Forum of Young Diplomats with the participation of representatives from 53 countries, further positioning Montenegro on the international map; harmonised the Agreement on long term support for Ukraine and security cooperation, once again confirming our reliability as a NATO Ally; as well as prepared information on the preparations for the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Western Balkans Fund, which testifies to the assumption of a responsible role within international frameworks.
The exceptionally dynamic year in international relations has also been reflected in Montenegro’s engagement within multilateral frameworks of cooperation, including the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe. In conditions of highly complex and unpredictable geopolitical developments, Montenegrin foreign policy has preserved its role as a responsible and reliable international actor and partner. Montenegro has consistently advocated for and defended the rulesbased international legal order. In this regard, particular attention should be paid to our clearly articulated, internationally law based and principled positions concerning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the resolution of the Palestinian question. These are two pressing issues with direct security implications for Europe and the Mediterranean, not to mention the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Therefore, we have consistently continued our already recognisable and highly valued overall engagement within the United Nations human rights system, primarily in the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the United Nations General Assembly in New York. For the first time, Montenegro hosted a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in May of this year. Our commitment to continuing to engage constructively and robustly in the areas of human rights protection and the preservation of international peace and security is further confirmed by Montenegro’s prominent candidacies for membership in a number of key UN bodies and the executive organs of its agencies, including the Security Council and the Human Rights Council.
After more than a decade, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe visited Montenegro in April of this year, at which time Montenegro, for the first time, also hosted a joint meeting of the Governing and Administrative Boards of the Council of Europe Development Bank. Throughout the year, we intensified preparations for Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, a process that provides us with a unique opportunity, in the final phase of negotiations for full membership in the European Union, to increase our visibility on the international stage and to reaffirm our commitment to European values the strengthening and promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Through its overall engagement in multilateral frameworks, Montenegro demonstrates both the readiness and the capacity to be not only a beneficiary of international support mechanisms, but also a state that actively implements reforms and participates in processes of importance for the European continent and beyond.
By the end of the year, we face intensive work on the Foreign Policy Strategy 2026 2029, the optimisation of the diplomatic and consular network, and the preparation of programmes for international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance all with the aim of ensuring that Montenegro is ready, as the next EU Member State, to assume its obligations and to make its contribution to the European community. An exceptionally important year also lies ahead of us: in the year marking the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence, Montenegro will chair the Berlin Process. This is a great honour, but also a confirmation of the trust we enjoy among our partners. The chairmanship will provide an opportunity to further strengthen regional dialogue, promote European values and demonstrate that Montenegro possesses the institutional and diplomatic capacities to lead processes of regional and European significance. The Berlin Process Summit and the accompanying ministerial meetings that we will host will serve as a forum for concrete agreements, the exchange of ideas and the strengthening of trust in the region. In addition, hosting the EU Western Balkans Summit will constitute another strong message regarding the reputation that Montenegro enjoys. It will be an opportunity for us, as leaders of European integration in the region, to encourage others to persevere along this path and to jointly reaffirm that the enlargement policy remains crucial for the stability of the European continent. It is entirely clear that the forthcoming obligations will put the capacities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the test. However, it is equally clear that we are ready to meet these challenges. As it has done thus far, Montenegro will demonstrate that it is a reliable partner, a good host and a state firmly committed to European values. I am confident that the year ahead will be one in which we further consolidate our international position and demonstrate that Montenegro rightfully bears the designation of the first next Member State of the European Union.
In light of the positive assessments Montenegro received in the European Commission Report, in what ways does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contribute to further strengthening the country’s European path and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy?
The positive assessments contained in the European Commission Report encourage us to continue working at the same pace and with the same level of commitment. They demonstrate that Montenegro is in the final and most demanding phase of the accession process, in which the quality of our alignment with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy is of decisive importance. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I fully understand that it is precisely through a responsible and predictable foreign policy that we confirm our political maturity and our readiness to become part of the European family of nations.
In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays a key role in aligning foreign, security and visa policy with the EU. We have undertaken a clear commitment to fully harmonise our visa policy with European standards by the end of next year, as part of the Reform Agenda 2024 2027 and in direct connection with the final benchmarks of Chapter 24. The harmonisation process is not merely an administrative matter it is a clear demonstration of our political consistency, as well as our readiness to assume the obligations arising from future membership. In doing so, we ensure that each step is firmly grounded in the protection of our security, economic and political interests.
In the period behind us, the Government, acting on the proposal of the Ministry, has adopted a number of decisions that bring us closer to full alignment with the EU’s visa policy. By removing Kuwait from the Regulation on the Visa Regime, adding Nauru to the list of countries whose nationals do not require a visa, and suspending the temporary visa exemptions for nationals of Egypt, Armenia and Uzbekistan, we have clearly demonstrated that we are pursuing a responsible policy. Furthermore, the expiry of the temporary exemption for nationals of Kazakhstan has constituted another important step towards full harmonisation. As a result, the difference between Montenegro’s visa lists and those of the EU has been reduced to just seven countries, with the clarification that the decision concerning Turkey is temporary and based exclusively on an assessment of the security situation. All of this indicates that Montenegro has the capacity to conduct a visa policy that is fully compatible with the European one, while remaining consistently aligned with our national interests. At the same time, I am proud of the fact that this year we have made a significant step forward in strengthening the international mobility of our citizens. By abolishing visas for travel to Japan, which entered into force on 1 September 2025, we enabled Montenegrin nationals to stay visa free for up to 90 days within a three year period. This is the result of long term and dedicated diplomatic efforts, as well as a confirmation that Montenegro enjoys growing trust on the international stage. At the same time, this has further enhanced the global standing of the Montenegrin passport, which is a very important element in strengthening the country’s international reputation.
With regard to alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, Montenegro remains among the leading candidate countries. The high level of alignment that we have achieved for many years continues to confirm our clear strategic commitment. Negotiating Chapter 31 is today fully ready for closure all that remains is for all Member States to agree on a common position. In the previous period, we closed several chapters precisely because our European partners recognised Montenegro as a credible and reliable ally in the European and Euro Atlantic context.
Our objective is clear – to demonstrate through our policies and actions that Montenegro not only shares European values, but also actively promotes them. For this reason, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue in the period ahead to pursue a responsible, aligned and principled foreign policy, one that will bring our country as close as possible to what has long been the strategic vision of our citizens full membership of the European Union.
Given the EU membership of some neighbouring countries and the experiences arising from this, how does the Ministry plan to intensify bilateral cooperation with key EU Member States in order to improve project coordination and the exchange of best practices?
In the final phase of accession negotiations, bilateral cooperation with European Union Member States assumes particular importance, as alongside technical and legal obligations, the political dimension of support becomes decisive. The experiences of our neighbours who have already gone through the accession process show that the quality and intensity of relations with key EU Member States are often a determining factor in the pace and success of integration. For this reason, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under my leadership, regards this form of cooperation as a strategic priority.
Above all, I am aware that the greatest political weight in supporting candidate countries lies precisely with those Member States with which we share historical, geographical and economic proximity. This was clearly confirmed during our own process of accession to NATO. In this regard, the Republic of Croatia holds particular importance on our integration path not only because of the experience it has gained as the EU’s newest Member State, but also because, owing to the closeness of our states and peoples, it is well acquainted with regional circumstances and challenges.
For this reason, in recent months we have intensified diplomatic communication with Croatia, precisely in order to address, through open and constructive dialogue, all issues that have remained unresolved in our bilateral relations for more than three decades. We have identified key topics, established direct communication mechanisms and jointly mapped out steps that will enable us to resolve these issues in a manner that serves the mutual interest. Communication with the Croatian side is continuous and takes place at all levels.
I believe that it is precisely this approach sincere, responsible and focused on tangible results that can lead to the resolution of all outstanding issues and to the further strengthening of the partnership between Montenegro and Croatia. This partnership is not important only for our two countries; it directly contributes to the stability and sustainable development of the entire region, which is one of the key elements of the European enlargement policy.
In a broader context, the Ministry plans to continue intensifying bilateral diplomacy with other key EU Member States as well primarily those with long standing experience in enlargement, as well as those that play an important role in political decision making within the Union. Through coordinated visits, strategic consultations, the strengthening of working groups and the exchange of best practices, we seek to further reinforce trust and partnership ties, while also securing strong political support for Montenegro in the final steps of its European path.
I am convinced that the combination of a responsible approach, good neighbourly diplomacy and active engagement with all partners within the EU will enable Montenegro to remain the leader of European integration in the region and to become the next Member State of the European Union in the near future.
Regional cooperation remains one of the cornerstones of Montenegro’s foreign policy. How do you assess current relations with neighbouring countries, and what initiatives is the Ministry undertaking with the aim of strengthening trust and stability in the region?
Overall, Montenegro remains firmly committed to building the best possible relations with all of its neighbours relations grounded in the principles of good neighbourliness, mutual respect and understanding.
In our bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, we consistently strive to pursue a policy of open and constructive dialogue, placing emphasis on what unites us and on what can further enhance cooperation between our countries. Bilateral political consultations represent one of the many mechanisms available to us, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through which, by exchanging views and positions and by jointly considering opportunities, we can strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries and thereby contribute to mutual trust. In addition to bilateral political consultations with the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, similar consultations were held this year with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the expectation that this trend will continue with other countries in the region during 2026. An additional indication that our commitment to regional cooperation is being recognised lies in the fact that Montenegro has been elected to leading positions in two regional organisations RACVIAC the Centre for Security Cooperation, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). Moreover, Montenegro will assume the chairmanship of the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) next year, which further confirms our willingness to contribute more actively and to assume responsibility for regional processes and cooperation.
Montenegro’s proactive role in coordinating activities within the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), as the executive body of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), as well as within the Berlin Process (BP), represents a significant catalyst for European integration. Therefore, I believe that our country is genuinely making a successful contribution to strengthening trust in the region and is setting a positive example in striving towards membership of the European Union, as a goal we all share. Today, Montenegro is recognised as one of the factors of stability and peace in the region, a reliable ally of the NATO Alliance and a leader in European integration. I believe that our accession to the European Union will send a message to other countries that the enlargement process is “alive”. This is of crucial importance for the neighbourhood, as I am convinced that only through integration into the European Union can the Western Balkans achieve lasting stability and prosperity. We wish to be the ones who inspire and encourage our neighbours to work with greater dedication on the necessary reforms along their European path.
In light of public interest in Montenegro’s diplomatic network, are there plans in the coming period for the appointment of new ambassadors and the filling of vacant diplomatic positions?
During my term of office, we have made a significant step forward in strengthening Montenegro’s diplomatic and consular network. To date, we have appointed 15 ambassadors and two consuls general, which clearly demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the foreign service both professionally and in terms of staffing. Nevertheless, several positions remain vacant in countries that are of political, economic and strategic importance to us, such as Albania, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Germany, the Russian Federation, the Vatican, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Spain.
The process of appointing ambassadors is, by its very nature, complex, as it involves coordination among several institutions the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government, Parliament and the President of the State as well as strict adherence to international procedures and protocols vis à vis the receiving states. For precisely this reason, we insist on the quality and integrity of each candidate, fully aware that ambassadors bear the greatest responsibility when it comes to representing Montenegro on the international stage.
With full responsibility, I can say that we expect the majority of the remaining appointments to be finalised in the coming period. This will ensure an almost complete staffing of our diplomatic and consular network, which is of particular importance at a time when Montenegro is in the final stage of the process of accession to the European Union. Successful and visible diplomacy is crucial for safeguarding our interests and for building a credible position in international relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will remain fully committed to strengthening our diplomatic network, so as to make Montenegro even more present, more recognisable and more influential worldwide.
Is there a strategic vision for further strengthening Montenegro’s international presence through the opening of new diplomatic and consular missions or the enhancement of the work of existing missions in countries of particular economic, political or cultural significance?
Our strategic vision envisages the further development of the diplomatic and consular network, in line with financial frameworks, but also with the ambition for Montenegro to be present in all key political and economic centres of the world. For this reason, at the level of the Government, we have taken a decision to open several new missions, bearing in mind a shared objective strengthening political dialogue, encouraging economic and investment cooperation, improving the quality of consular services and increasing Montenegro’s international visibility at a time when we are in the final phase of European integration.
The opening of new embassies in European Union Member States, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, stems from their consistent political support for enlargement and the exceptionally good relations we have been building over many years, which also require our resident presence. In the Middle East region, the decision to strengthen our presence in Qatar and Saudi Arabia is based on their growing economic and political weight and their potential for more intensive investment cooperation. In the Far East, we approach Japan and India as two of the most important Asian countries one with enormous technological and developmental capacities, the other as a rising global power and an important source of consular demand. Finally, the opening of an office of the Embassy of Montenegro in Belgium, with its seat in Luxembourg, reflects the importance of that country as a partner within the EU and NATO, as well as the long standing tradition of our diaspora, which serves as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
I believe that this approach demonstrates our strategic maturity and our ability to develop the diplomatic network in a planned and thoughtful manner. Each decision to open a new mission is not merely an administrative step, but the result of a careful assessment of geopolitical, economic and cultural factors, as well as an evaluation of Montenegro’s capacity to operate effectively and visibly in each of these representations. In this way, we ensure that our diplomatic engagement is fully geared towards the protection of national interests, the strengthening of regional stability and the promotion of European values. The further development of the network also enables a more active role for Montenegro within multilateral frameworks, as a presence in strategically important countries creates opportunities for direct participation in key regional and global initiatives. In this way, we simultaneously strengthen the credibility of our state and enhance our capacity to mobilise international support, whether through economic projects, cultural initiatives or political dialogue. I am confident that this strategy, through a combination of resident presence and the modernisation of existing missions, will enable Montenegro to be even more present, more recognisable and more influential on the international stage.