Kos to RTNK: The tensions we see from Brussels are not good, cooperation between the government and the opposition is necessary

Montenegro is in the final phase of negotiations with the European Union, but there are still many challenges that need to be resolved before entry, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos told Radio Television Nikšić.

Although Montenegro began working on European integration in 2012, the real work, she added, began four years ago. The vision of all politicians, she stated, should be cooperation on the European path.

"You have achieved a lot, but the work is not done yet. I always say that the focus must be on building democratic institutions and the rule of law. This is not just a project of the Government of Montenegro and the Parliament of Montenegro, it is a project on which everyone must cooperate - both the opposition and civil society. Therefore, the tensions that we see in Brussels are not good, but there is no other way but for everyone to cooperate together," said Kos.

She added that she believes in Montenegro, saying that "you have the support not only of me and my team, but also of the member states who want to see a new state in the European Union."

"When we talk about Montenegro's entry into the European Union, we talk about chapters, what needs to be fulfilled and done, but where are the people? Through the European Capital of Culture project, people are connected. Europe is not one culture, Europe is 27 different cultures, a project like this allows regions that have not been recognized to prosper. Nikšić will be recognized throughout Europe through this project, and I think that will be the case. I really want as many people from Europe as possible to come to Nikšić. I always want to go outside the capitals when I visit member states or candidates, to see how people live in other places. I think the European project of joining the EU is a project that must include everyone. It is not just the Government of Montenegro or the Parliament. 70 percent of the things that are decided in Brussels must be settled at the local level. That is why I am glad to be in Nikšić, and because we can see how much it can contribute to Montenegro's successful path towards the EU," said Kos.

During her official visit to Nikšić, she met with young citizens at Trebjesa, who are beneficiaries of the Youth Guarantee program funded by the European Union.

"It is one of the better programs we have. It gives young people the opportunity to realize the ideas they have, but the most important thing is to realize the ideas where they live. When I talked to them, they told me that there are many young people who would stay and live in Nikšić, but that they cannot find a job. That is why this program of ours really helps young people to be included in society, that is, in the community in which they live. We have seen on several occasions that there are many young people who, when the country joins the EU, have a desire to go abroad, that cannot be prevented. But then, the role of the state is to create conditions so that when these young people gain experience, they have conditions at home to start a family and to be an important part of the development of both the community and the state," said Kos.