The special envoy of the European Union for the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajčak, said that he expects Montenegro to focus less on itself and more on the European agenda.
"Montenegro is still a leader, although the speed of European reform has slowed down significantly. But it is good that the functionality of the Constitutional Court has been restored," said Lajčak in an interview with Hina, during his participation in the economic forum in Delphi, Greece.
Lajčak pointed out that he expects the new president and the government to fully commit to European integration, which is what the majority of residents want.
"Montenegro has been a factor of stability in the Balkans for many years, so I expect it to continue to play that role," said the diplomat.
Minister without portfolio Zoran Miljanić, Hina recalls, said at the forum in Delphi that "it would be optimal for Montenegro to become a member in the next four years".
Lajčak, however, says that it is "ungrateful to talk" about the dates of the next EU enlargement.
"But what I would like to see is for our partners in the Western Balkans to start participating more in EU partnership programs. To be in the same room. Not only when we discuss the Western Balkans, but also to be part of the discussion on other topics, to see that we are serious with them," he said.
"For example, when we ask them for their opinion on the Green Plan, on digitization and other areas we discuss, so that we get used to each other. We need to refresh the methodology, without changing it, I am not asking that we change charters or documents because that will cost us time. But within the existing structures, I think there is space that should be used to bring the Western Balkans closer," he added.
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