Decades of successful implementation of the Schengen Agreement represent a strong foundation for an even more integrated and resilient Europe, said Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović.
As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), he participated today in a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement, held in the Luxembourg city of Schengen, where the process of creating an area of free movement within Europe began in 1985.
Ibrahimović emphasized that Montenegro, as a leader in European integration in the region, remains strongly committed to European values, with a clear goal of membership in the European Union (EU) by 2028.
He recalled the one hundred percent compliance with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as the progress in fulfilling the remaining obligations from the European agenda.
As Ibrahimović said, Montenegro continues to implement reforms that bring us closer to full membership, which includes gradual alignment with the EU's visa policy.
"In this context, we recognize Schengen as a symbol of the common values we share - freedom, security, solidarity and trust among European peoples," said Ibrahimović.
He assessed that the celebration of this important anniversary confirms that decades of successful implementation of the agreement represent a strong foundation for an even more integrated and resilient Europe.
"There is no European success story without the countries of the Western Balkans," Ibrahimović stressed, adding that the enlargement policy is gaining increasing importance in light of the changed geopolitical circumstances.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during the ceremony, special attention was paid to the challenges facing the Schengen area, including strengthening external border management, combating illegal migration, and maintaining a high level of internal security.
The ceremonial inauguration of the renovated European Schengen Museum and the Princesse Marie Astrid Europa ship, where the Schengen Agreement was signed, was also held.
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