EС President outlines possible timelines for Montenegro’s accession

EС President outlines possible timelines for Montenegro’s accession

Politics

European Council President Antonio Costa said in Podgorica on Wednesday that the enlargement of the European Union is a strategic and key investment for stability, peace and prosperity, and that Montenegro could become a member of the bloc by 2028, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic said Costa is visiting the Balkan country at a crucial time for Podgorica's EU accession bid.

"Your arrival confirms that Montenegro's European perspective remains high on the EU agenda. In these challenging times, enlargement policy can be decisive. We can be the light at the end of the tunnel and confirmation that the enlargement process is alive," said Milatović, TCH reports.

Montenegro, as he stated, wants to be an example of a European success story.

Montenegro began accession talks in June 2012, and has since opened all negotiating chapters and provisionally closed three. After several years of stagnation, the country resumed negotiations last June and is now working towards their closure.

Costa described Montenegro's progress on its path to the EU as "impressive":

"The slogan '28 by 2028' is great, but it would be better if it were achieved earlier," he said, adding that Montenegro "can become the 28th member and a leader in the European integration of the region."

He stressed the importance of good neighborly relations, especially with countries that are already EU members.

Asked about the concerns of some European institutions regarding Montenegro's agreement with the United Arab Emirates, he replied that such agreements must be in accordance with EU laws.

"Especially in the areas of public procurement and environmental protection," he said.

The Parliament of Montenegro approved the laws ratifying the Agreement on Economic Cooperation and the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development with the United Arab Emirates a week ago through an accelerated procedure.

However, Milatović has returned one of these two agreements to the Parliament for reconsideration – the one that paved the way for the lease of the Big Beach in Ulcinj.

According to that agreement, Montenegro would lease the Grand Beach for 99 years to the Emmar company of Arab businessman Mohamed Alabbar, which would build a mega-tourist complex in Ulcinj.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, has now begun meetings in Kosovo, initially with the President of Vjosa Osmani.

Tags

Related articles

Türkiye to Host 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Monday that Türkiye will host the 2026 NATO leaders summit in Ankara, where key decisions are expected to be made.
Greece Rejects Turkish-Libyan Maritime Deal
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis told Parliament on Monday that the Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum is "invalid and unsubstantiated" under international law.
Israeli Strike Devastates Tehran’s Evin Prison, 71 Killed
Tehran’s Evin Prison, known for housing political prisoners including Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, was severely damaged in an Israeli airstrike on June 23, just one day before a ceasefire took effect.
Kulminski Appointed Moldova's Ambassador to U.S.
Former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Vladislav Kulminski has been appointed as Moldova’s new ambassador to the United States, according to a decree published in the Official Journal.
Greece to Recover Misused EU Funds
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Monday the creation of a special task force to recover EU agricultural subsidies wrongly paid by the OPEKEPE payments authority.
Moldova Launches Youth Internship Program
A total of 155 young people in Moldova will begin internships in key public institutions as part of a program organized by the Moldovan Government in partnership with the European Union.
Greece to Recover Unjustified Farm Subsidies
Greek Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced Monday that the government will reclaim unjustified agricultural subsidies received by opportunists.
Trump Denies Iran Talks
US President Donald Trump said Monday he has made no offers to Iran and is not in talks with the country, rejecting claims by Senator Chris Coons.
Moldova Opens Embassy in Kazakhstan
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan from July 1 to 3 at the invitation of his Kazakh counterpart, Murat Nurtleu.
New Digital Deputy Appointed
The Ministry of Digital Governance held a handover ceremony on Monday following the resignation of Deputy Minister Christos Boukoros due to the OPEKEPE case.