Von der Leyen tomorrow in Podgorica: Meetings with Milatović and Spajić on the finale of the talks, the National Border Coordination Centre opens

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives tomorrow, October 1, in Podgorica, where she will meet President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. This is reported by CdM, citing the European Commission’s official announcement, according to which the talks will focus on the finale of the accession talks with the European Union, at a key stage for Montenegro.

During the visit, according to the European Commission, Von der Leyen will take part in the opening of the National Coordination Centre — a new operational centre that strengthens Montenegro’s border management and information exchange with EU member states and with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

The visit is part of the European Commission president’s Western Balkans tour, which starts today and includes Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, CdM writes. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia will be visited at a later moment, because of upcoming elections in these two countries.

According to Brussels, the talks in Podgorica will focus on the next steps on the EU path and the continuation of gradual integration, with the support of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans — a package worth €6 billion.

Montenegro is in the decisive phase of the process: the official objective is closing all 33 negotiating chapters by the end of 2026 and membership in the European Union in 2028. So far 18 chapters have been provisionally closed, while particular attention is paid to chapters 23 and 24, which include the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the rule of law, migration, asylum and border control.