The Government of Montenegro has done a lot of concrete things in three months and it should be given "credit" in order to continue working on reforms, said the special representative of the European Union (EU) for the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajčak.
In a statement from the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said that the issue of EU enlargement is back on the agenda, although it was less relevant in the last ten years.
"We haven't had that in the last ten years, and the paradox is that because of the war in Ukraine, the EU has once again realized that we should be serious towards the Balkans, as well as towards Ukraine and Moldova", said Lajcak.
He said that he knows how important it is for the countries in the region to have a realistic, credible perspective in order to enter into all the necessary reforms, which, as he said, are difficult and painful.
"That perspective now exists. We have a new opportunity to make serious progress on the European path, and the question is who is ready to take advantage of that moment, because it will not last forever," emphasized Lajčak.
He added that Montenegro enters this new situation as the leader of the negotiation process.
Lajčak said that there was not much progress in the last few years, because there were not enough reforms.
"That's why we should give credit to the new current government of Montenegro, which has done a lot of concrete things in less than three months, first of all appointments in the judiciary, but also some other decisions", said Lajčak.
As I said, this is being followed in detail in Brussels.
"It is important that the Government continues on that path, and I think that it is determined to take advantage of that moment and that very soon Montenegro can make substantial progress on the European path towards EU membership," concluded Lajčak.
Today, Lajčak met with Prime Minister Milojkom Spajić on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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