The Berlin process is the most effective mechanism for the preparation and faster integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the European Union (EU), assessed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ervin Ibrahimović.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahimović said this at the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Berlin Process, which marked the tenth anniversary of that initiative.
"The Berlin process is the most effective mechanism for comprehensive preparation for EU membership," Ibrahimovic said.
He added that Montenegro welcomed the tenth anniversary of the Berlin Process as a leader in the negotiations and the first country to receive a positive Report on the fulfillment of the temporary benchmarks for chapters 23 and 24 (IBAR).
"I believe that today, here, we will lay the foundations for the successful realization of our common goal - an expanded Europe," said Ibrahimović.
He emphasized that the countries of the Western Balkans have already been provided with an extraordinary support mechanism this year in the form of a new Growth Plan.
"Montenegro intends to make the most of this opportunity, as well as other available instruments, in order to speed up the integration process and reduce the development gap with the EU," said Ibrahimović.
He reminded that many of the instruments aimed at accelerating the process of European integration were designed and implemented precisely within the framework of the Berlin process.
Ibrahimović, as stated in the announcement, thanked Germany and other EU members for their long-standing support for the Europeanization of the Western Balkans.
Pointing to the challenges facing the countries of the Western Balkans, Ibrahimović emphasized that solving them requires, in addition to national efforts, a coordinated regional approach.
"With essential reforms in the area of the rule of law and strengthening of democratic capacities," Ibrahimović stated.
He also pointed to the importance of strengthening capacities to jointly face growing security challenges, with a focus on cyber threats.
"This is precisely why we believe that the Regional Center for Cyber Security and Cyber Capacity Development (WB3C), founded on the initiative of France, Slovenia and Montenegro, with headquarters in Podgorica, represents an excellent starting point for intensifying cooperation and regional resistance to cyber threats within the Berlin Process ", Ibrahimovic said.
He pointed out that for Montenegro, receiving a positive IBAR was recognition for the results achieved.
"The positive IBAR is also an incentive to redouble our efforts, as we enter the final and most demanding phase of negotiations, in order to become the 28th member by 2028," said Ibrahimović.
The statement of the Ministry states that in the speeches of representatives of the EU and member states, strong support for the further integration of the Western Balkan countries into the Union was confirmed.
It is added that the importance of speeding up the negotiation process and implementing the necessary reforms was highlighted.
As announced, the meeting also adopted a statement on strengthening cooperation in anticipation of the Berlin Process Summit.
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