The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said today in Podgorica that Montenegro should now be fully focused on the process of joining the European Union, including by carrying out the necessary reforms, a BGNES reporter reported.
This work must be completed "together", emphasized the President of the EC, which is in the third part of its tour in the Western Balkans. Earlier, she held meetings with the heads of state of North Macedonia and Kosovo.
Von der Leyen told the joint conference after speaking with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic that he knows how committed Montenegrin citizens are to joining the bloc and indicated he was glad the EC would help them achieve that goal.
She reiterated that Montenegro is the country that has made the most progress on the EU path for a long time and indicated that she is glad that official Podgorica is determined to maintain this position going forward.
"Enlargement is at the top of the European Commission's agenda. I know how committed the people of Montenegro are to joining the EU. All negotiation chapters are open and three are already closed," Von der Leyen added. "For a long time, Montenegro has been the most advanced country in the Western Balkans in the EU accession process."
"I welcome the fact that you must now be fully focused on the task of the accession goal and together we will walk the path, cross the finish line. I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister after this conference," added the EC President.
Reforms and convergence of economies
Von der Leyen said she spoke with Milatovic about the need to "bring our economies closer together". She pointed out that Montenegro has the potential to be a major supplier of electricity in the region. According to her, the common regional market has great potential and, if realized, it can increase the GDP of the region by 10%. "You have to take advantage of that," Von der Leyen said.
However, she pointed out that in order to open the common market, reforms are needed. "You will have to deliver on these reforms. For example, for Montenegro, it is an improved business environment, digital transition, modernization of the energy sector. If we do it right we can double your economies in 10 years. This potential is here and the opportunity must be used," said the EC President.
There is no access process calendar
When asked about Milatović's position that Montenegro could join the EU even before 2030 and how realistic that is, Von der Leyen emphasized that "there is no need to wait."
"Montenegro is a leader, it has to go that last mile, it needs to be pushed a little, it also needs determination, but I see that it is firmly present on the political side. The approach is based on achievements. If you meet the conditions, we will not be bound by a date, there is no timetable for the accession process, but what is important is the implementation of the reforms and the progress towards the EU in terms of meeting all the criteria that countries have to meet. I encourage Montenegro to go through this as soon as possible," commented Ursula von der Leyen.
Asked if she would cooperate with the new parliament speaker Andrija Mandić, von der Leyen noted that Montenegro is a free country that has the right to choose the leaders of its institutions.
"I believe in Montenegro's ability to move forward on the right path. I am convinced that you are capable of creating results. It is up to the citizens of Montenegro to decide who their leaders will be and which way they want to go."
EU membership by 2030 is a real goal
The President of Montenegro Yakov Milatovic, for his part, indicated that the country's full membership in the EU before 2030 is a "real possibility".
At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Podgorica, Milatović said that Montenegro has no contentious issues with its neighbors, that it is a member of NATO and that it has advanced the furthest in the process of European integration compared to all other countries candidates.
"Montenegro has fully harmonized its politics with EU politics and has a truly reformist political majority. There is no other country that aspires to be a member of the EU and collect all this," Milatovic said.
Milatovic condemned Dodik's "bad" statement
Milatovic said the recent statement by Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik that a joint state of Serbia, RS and Montenegro should be created was a "bad statement".
"I think that Montenegro has clearly completed its statehood and is following a Euro-Atlantic path. We look forward to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) joining us on this path. That's all I have to say," Milatovic added.
European integration with a pro-Russian alliance
BGNES recalls that this morning Montenegrin MPs voted for a new government supported by a pro-Russian alliance, almost five months after the general elections.
Prime Minister Milojko Spaic's government was voted in after marathon overnight debates, with the support of 46 of the 66 MPs present in the 81-member parliament.
His Europe Now party won a slim lead in June's parliamentary election amid a crowded field of parties, prompting protracted talks to form a new coalition.
The new coalition includes pro-Russian and pro-Serbian parties, in particular the "For the Future of Montenegro" alliance, whose leader Andrija Mandić was elected speaker of the parliament.
BGNES also recalls that Mandić's alliance is against the recognition of Kosovo and does not support international sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
Later today, Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Belgrade for a bilateral meeting with President Aleksandar Vucic and other officials. /BGNES
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