Partnership with the European Union is more important today than ever, especially in light of geopolitical challenges, said Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, who delivered a lecture at the prestigious University of Oxford.
He says that EU enlargement is not just a matter of economic integration, but also of the stability of Europe as a whole.
Milatović's office announced that, at the lecture, he discussed Montenegro's European future with professors and students.
On that occasion, he said that the future of Montenegro and the Western Balkans lies in "an integrated Europe, based on common values and interests", and stressed that Montenegro's membership in the EU is not just a technical process, but an opportunity "to improve the quality of life of all our citizens" by strengthening the rule of law, building an efficient public administration, achieving economic progress, ensuring equal opportunities for all and establishing zero tolerance for corruption.
"When I took office as president, I set an ambitious but achievable goal - for Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. If you believe in what you are doing and work hard for that goal, it will be achieved," said Milatović.
He pointed to "Montenegro's advantages and its commitment to European values", recalling that our country is fully aligned with the EU's foreign policy, uses the euro as its currency and is "actively implementing reforms" in the area of the rule of law.
The President of the country pointed out that Montenegro is in the final phase of negotiations, with a plan to close six chapters in 2025, emphasizing that the only sustainable path is one in which both the EU and the candidates work together on reforms, strengthening democracy and institutions.
He recalled that the European perspective of the Western Balkans was confirmed at the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003, but that, two decades later, only one country from the region has become a member of the EU.
"That would be a signal to the entire region that the promise from Thessaloniki is still valid and that the European perspective of the Western Balkans is not just declarative, but realistic and achievable. That would be the light at the end of the tunnel for the entire region," said Milatović.
He expressed his belief that Montenegro can be a role model for other countries in the region and that continued reforms in key areas will allow the EU to recognize and reward its progress.
"I believe that we are in a decisive phase and that by working together we can achieve a winning scenario - in which the candidate fulfills reforms, and the EU recognizes its readiness and opens the door to membership," said Milatović.
The President's Office announced that, during his visit to Oxford, he had the opportunity to speak with leading academics, students, and representatives of the political and academic community about the challenges and opportunities brought by the EU enlargement process, emphasizing that Montenegro's European future is more than a political goal - "it is a generational chance for stability, development, and progress of the entire country."
"President Jakov Milatović is the recipient of the prestigious British Chevening Award, which was presented to him for his achievements in the field of politics, because just ten years after graduating from Oxford University, he became the President of Montenegro," the statement recalls.
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