Sarajevo – Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Ervin Ibrahimović, visited the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) headquarters in Sarajevo today, where he met with RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović.

Discussions focused on Montenegro’s steady progress towards EU accession, particularly following the publication of the European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Package yesterday, as well as on advancing regional cooperation through the Common Regional Market (CRM) and the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović congratulated Montenegro on its achievements, including the provisional closure of four negotiation chapters and its continued commitment to completing accession negotiations by the end of 2026.

“Montenegro’s strong reform drive and commitment to EU integration are an encouraging signal for the entire region. The RCC stands ready to continue supporting Montenegro and all Western Balkan partners in advancing the implementation of the Common Regional Market, the digital and green transition, and deeper economic integration with the European Union. As Montenegro prepares to take over the Chairmanship of the Berlin Process in 2026, we stand ready to extend our full support. The RCC has been part of the Berlin Process since its very beginning, and we will continue to provide our expertise, coordination, and regional perspective to ensure the success of this important platform,” said Kapetanović.

Minister Ibrahimović reaffirmed Montenegro’s dedication to maintaining reform momentum and fostering inclusive regional cooperation, especially through the Berlin Process, as the 2026 Chairmanship holder. He expressed satisfaction with the 2025 Enlargement Report, which recognised Montenegro as the frontrunner in the EU accession process, underlining that this success also reflects the strength of regional cooperation and the tangible results it has produced. Minister Ibrahimović thanked the RCC for its contribution to these efforts and reiterated Montenegro’s full support for the organisation’s work.

The meeting also touched upon Montenegro’s recent first SEPA transactions, marking an important milestone in strengthening the region’s financial integration. Estimates indicate potential savings of up to EUR 14 million annually for Montenegro alone. This demonstrates the tangible benefits of the Common Regional Market and the Growth Plan.

Discussions further covered Montenegro’s active role within the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and the South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy, emphasising the importance of maintaining regional solidarity, dialogue, and coordination as essential pillars of the region’s path towards EU membership.