EESC President

EESC President Oliver Röpke opened his mission to Montenegro by encouraging the country’s ambition to join the EU by 2028 and close all negotiation chapters by 2026. In a meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and other high-level officials in Podgorica, the President reinforced the EESC’s strong support for Montenegro’s frontrunner role in the enlargement process and its efforts to strengthen democratic dialogue and reform.

The President met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić for an in-depth exchange on Montenegro’s EU path. The discussion centred on how to ensure the Growth Plan and related reforms translate into tangible benefits for all citizens, including the need for meaningful monitoring structures, public trust in reforms, and transparency in investment deals. Prime Minister Spajić reiterated Montenegro’s goal of closing all chapters by the end of 2026 and joining the EU by 2028. He welcomed continued cooperation with the EESC and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the EU path and socio-economic development.

Earlier in the day, President Röpke held a meeting with Minister Naida Nišić, joined by members of the Social Council. Discussions focused on strengthening tripartite social dialogue, the role of civil society in implementing Montenegro’s Reform Agenda, and the alignment of social policies with the EU acquis. President Röpke welcomed Montenegro’s establishment of a Directorate for Social Dialogue and its active reform work on labour laws, representativeness, social entrepreneurship and disability inclusion. He stressed the importance of respecting agreements reached in the Social Council and engaging social partners systematically in EU-related reforms.

The day concluded with a meeting with EU Ambassador to Montenegro H.E. Johann Sattler. The conversation focused on the overall pace of Montenegro’s accession process, the functioning of civil and social dialogue, and recent political developments. They noted the progress made in closing several negotiation chapters and discussed the importance of maintaining momentum in light of political challenges, including issues surrounding the Constitutional Court and institutional trust.

These exchanges set the stage for the 10th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum in Budva, where regional actors address civil society’s role in delivering inclusive reforms, deepening social convergence and supporting the EU accession process across the Western Balkans.