Montenegro and Belgium share common European values and a commitment to strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, Finance Minister Novica Vuković said after meeting with Frederic Develter, the newly appointed Belgian ambassador to Montenegro, during his first official visit to the Ministry of Finance.
The discussion focused on Montenegro’s EU accession path, emphasizing efforts to close remaining negotiation chapters and achieve full EU membership. Vuković briefed Develter on ongoing reforms aimed at fiscal sustainability, combating the grey economy, and enhancing institutional transparency, which are critical for meeting EU accession criteria.
From November 2024 to August 2025, Montenegro adopted 22 laws under the Ministry of Finance’s jurisdiction. Develter expressed strong Belgian support for Montenegro’s EU integration, predicting potential membership by 2028, and highlighted Belgium’s commitment to providing expertise and sharing experiences from its own reform process.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the shared goal of Montenegro joining the European Union.