Von der Leyen: EU accession process will continue to be based on merit, but must become more dynamic

The European Union (EU) accession process will continue to be based on merit, but it must become more dynamic, said European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen.

"You can hear it from my colleagues here. In other words, when reforms are implemented, progress on the path to EU accession must follow. And that is exactly what we want to do – to reward reforms with real integration, for example access to our programmes, closer ties to the single market and EU funding that rewards reforms," ​​von der Leyen said at a press conference with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović and European Council President Antonio Košta, following the EU-Western Balkans Summit held today in Tivat.

She said that if she had to sum up this summit in two words, they would be: determination and trust.

"The determination to make the European future of the Western Balkans concrete as quickly as possible. The confidence that our Union will grow in the years to come, and yes, yes, Montenegro will become the 28th member by 2028 - and that is achievable," she said.

As she added, it is very clear - the discussions showed that today.

"Therefore, we can only encourage you to maintain the good spirit and pace you have shown, the ambition and determination. We hope that Albania will follow quickly and that the entire region will continue to move closer to our union," Von der Leyen said.

According to her, what this summit showed was that a community of "common destiny" is already being formed.

"Our security is connected, our economies are connected and, of course, our future is connected. The enlargement process is a way to turn this reality into membership and to bring the Western Balkans closer to where they belong," said Von der Leyen.

Košta: Counting down to the next expansion

European Council President Antonio Costa said that among the important milestones that show momentum in the enlargement process is that last month the EU began drafting Montenegro's accession treaty.

"For the first time since 2013, we are truly counting down to the next enlargement – ​​to Montenegro becoming the 28th member by 2028," said Košta.

He also said that an intergovernmental conference was held with Albania last week, which opened the next phase in the accession process.

In addition, the Commission proposed the closure of three negotiation chapters with Albania.

"The Serbian government has presented a concrete calendar for adopting the remaining elements of the electoral legislation reform and completing the judicial reform in line with the Venice Commission's review and recommendations in the coming weeks. And, very importantly, this week we are opening the process for launching the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine and Moldova. This is proof that reforms and the engagement of all social actors are bringing results, and that the European Union is committed to enlargement. These were my messages during my visits this week," said Košta.

He called on all partners to seize the opportunity, to build on the current momentum and take all necessary steps to accelerate their progress on the path towards the EU.

He stressed that the full alignment of Western Balkan partners with the EU's common foreign and security policy remains a key indicator of unity.

"The European Union is a community of values ​​and a project of peace, prosperity and security. It is a project on which we are all continuously working. The Western Balkans are an integral part of the future of the European Union. Their accession remains our priority and a key geopolitical investment," he said.

He reiterated that the process is and will remain based on merit and credible reforms.

"At the same time, today's discussion has shown our shared ambition to make progress on enlargement as soon as possible. That is why we are considering new ideas to simplify and accelerate the process, increase trust in the European Union and the motivation of partners from the Western Balkans," he said.

According to him, fostering good neighborly relations and regional cooperation is also a basic priority for ensuring the security and economic prosperity of the region.

"This will require difficult decisions and sustained efforts. But this is exactly how Europe has been building a common future in recent decades. The Western Balkans can count on our continued support. The European Union is and will remain the most reliable partner of the region. Because the future of the Western Balkans lies in the future of the European Union," Košta emphasized.

Milatović: Montenegro has already shown in many areas that it behaves like an EU member

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović said that the summit confirms that enlargement policy is once again a strategic priority for the European Union.

"It sends a strong message that the European perspective of the Western Balkans is alive, credible and achievable. For Montenegro, this is a moment of great recognition and even greater responsibility. Dear colleagues, during the accession process, we have implemented important reforms, aligned our legislation with key EU standards and strengthened our institutions, which must serve as the foundation of the rule of law, democratic resilience and public trust," he stated.

He said that Montenegro's European path has gone through different phases, there have been periods of progress, but also stagnation.

Milatović emphasized that the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections brought new momentum, new energy, and renewed credibility to Montenegro's European path.

"Since then, the goal of Montenegro becoming the 28th member of the EU by 2028 has become a national project, a project of national unity, with clear deadlines, clear steps and clear responsibility. Today, I can say with full confidence that this goal is realistic and achievable. It is strongly supported by all our European partners. Montenegro has already shown in many areas that it behaves like an EU member," said Milatović.

He added that full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy confirms that Montenegro is already a reliable partner and responsible ally in a time of great geopolitical challenges.

"Let me specify three important dimensions of Montenegro's successful path towards the EU. The first is the national dimension - it would be a national triumph for Montenegro, a new government and a new political culture. For Montenegro, EU membership represents the success of the state, our public administration, our institutions and, above all, our citizens. It is a confirmation of years of reforms and the ability of our society to change, mature and progress," Milatović emphasized.

As he added, the second dimension is regional, related to the Western Balkans, because Montenegro wants to serve as an example, role model and motivation for other candidate countries.

"Our experience shows that reforms are demanding, but achievable, that the European path makes sense and leads to the ultimate goal - full membership in the European Union," said Milatović.

The third dimension, as he said, is European, because Montenegro's accession to the EU would send a message about the credibility and attractiveness of the European project, would show that Europe fulfills its obligations, recognizes the results achieved, and remains a community of democracy, peace, and a common, prosperous future.

He believes that the integration of Montenegro would send a strong signal to all candidate countries that the European dream is alive and real, that the effort is worth it, and that the enlargement policy remains one of the most successful EU policies.

"Today, from Montenegro, we are sending a very clear message. Montenegro is ready for the final phase. We are ready for the final phase of our European path, which we began by launching negotiations with the EU back in 2012," said the President of Montenegro.

Montenegro, he says, is ready to fulfill its remaining obligations and to take advantage of the momentum given to it by its European partners.

"Montenegro has the opportunity to achieve the great goal of our generation - to transform the independence we restored 20 years ago into a well-governed, just and economically strong state," said Milatović.

When asked by journalists whether the pace of chapter closure in Montenegro has slowed down and whether the goal of closing all chapters by the end of the year is still achievable, Von der Leyen replied that the speed with which Montenegro is implementing reforms is impressive, but also that everyone is working in the same direction and goal - the president, the prime minister and the parliament.

She said that the EU recognizes that everyone in Montenegro is focused on the goal that has been set.

"The momentum of implementing complicated reforms is impressive and we encourage you to continue doing the good work," said Von der Leyen.

As she added, the goal is to close all chapters by the end of the year or the beginning of the next one and then move on to the next step, which is the accession treaty.

Responding to a question about Serbia's accession process, she reiterated that reforms must be implemented and that is the cornerstone of the process.

"If Serbia meets the conditions and makes progress, the European Commission will also fulfill its obligations," said Von der Leyen.

Commenting on the Franco-German proposal, Milatović said that he believes it is constructive, but the case of Montenegro is unique.

"The Accession Treaty is already being written for us and I think our position is different," he said.

Košta reminded that several proposals are being heard and that there is talk of models to make the accession process more efficient, but "Montenegro's position is different."