European officials announced on June 26 that Montenegro is ready for the final phase of accession to the European Union. After 12 years of accession negotiations, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said Podgorica has "broken the ice" in what EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi hailed as a "historic moment." Montenegro is considered the most advanced country in the EU accession process, but accession stalled over the Montenegrin judiciary. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said Podgorica must continue to strengthen judicial independence and fight against corruption and organized crime. The announcement came as part of the Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union and Montenegro in Brussels. To read the original story on RFE/RL's Balkan Service, click here.
Montenegro Has 'Broken The Ice' In EU Accession Talks, PM Says
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