Slow enlargement opens the Balkan door to Russia: Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal for "Vijesti"

The European Union (EU) should not allow the enlargement process to drag on, as otherwise candidate countries could become more susceptible to Russian influence, the Estonian Prime Minister said. Kristen Michal, assessing that Montenegro has a realistic chance of becoming the 28th member of the EU by 2028.

In an interview with "Vijesti" after the EU-Western Balkans Summit on Friday in Tivat, he said that the Union needs new members to expand its influence.

He points out that Montenegro has done a lot of work, is leading the process and it is realistic to close the negotiation chapters by the end of 2026, but that Albania is also making progress, whose goal is to become a member in 2030, while Ukraine and Moldova can open the first clusters.

He said that the key messages from the Titva summit were that enlargement is important both for candidate countries and for the EU itself, which is incomplete without the Western Balkans.

He said that they also discussed models of gradual integration, namely the Franco-German non-paper, so that the candidates would feel the benefits of reforms earlier and get closer to European decision-making.

How do you assess the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the atmosphere during the talks?

I would say that the summit was good. It had a more optimistic tone, because at such gatherings it is usually said that processes are slow, that there is a long wait, that reforms are being implemented, but nothing is happening right away. To be honest, enlargement is a long process. However, this meeting was more optimistic because of the historic window and opportunity that is now opening for EU enlargement. Montenegro has done a lot of hard work, as has Albania. They are probably among the next countries to join the EU. Ukraine and Moldova could soon open the first accession cluster.

So, there were a lot of positive elements. And, as a side note, the meeting room had windows with a view of the sea, which you don't have in Brussels, so that made it much better.

What were the key messages from the Summit?

I would conclude that the key message was that enlargement is a two-way street. It is not just about countries wanting to join the most exclusive club in the world, the EU. It is also about the EU itself, because as some of my colleagues have said, the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans.

It should be kept in mind that there are various forms of foreign influence and interference by those who want to divert countries from their European path.

For security, prosperity and access to that exclusive club, enlargement is very important for the candidate countries, but also for the Union. The EU is currently the most predictable region in the world.

The second topic was the creation of some kind of future mechanism that would allow reforming countries to see the benefits of the process much earlier. This is a topic that will be discussed in the European Council in the coming months.

Are you referring to the new Franco-German document (non-paper)?

Yes, and the Franco-German document. Different countries have different views on the issue. I would say that the main discussion was about the merit-based process and the idea of ​​gradual integration - bringing countries closer to the table (where decisions are made together) and learning about how decisions are made and how EU policies work. Full EU membership should always remain the ultimate goal.

Do you think it is realistic for Montenegro to close all negotiation chapters by the end of this year and become the next EU member in 2028?

Yes, because Montenegro has done a lot of hard work. Montenegro is leading the process and it is realistic to close the chapters by the end of 2026 and become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028.

Albania is also making progress. They are doing their job and, if I remember correctly, they have a goal to achieve this by 2030. I hope that European enlargement will continue at this pace.

As I mentioned before, Ukraine and Moldova could soon open the first accession clusters and then continue the merit-based process and move closer to the European table. There is good momentum at the moment.

What do you see as the main obstacles and challenges for Montenegro?

That is a question for Jakov Milatović (President of Montenegro) and Milojko Spajić (Prime Minister). I see a strong commitment to reform among both the leadership and the citizens of Montenegro. What I can say from the Estonian experience is that, although some decisions were sometimes difficult to understand or make, you made them in your own interest.

As with investing in defence - you don't do it for someone else, you do it for yourself. The same goes for reforms and standards. If you want the European Union to work, you need the rule of law, decisions based on values ​​and the certainty that when you go to another member state, the systems are in place and the rules are respected. That is the essence of membership.

As for the most difficult reforms, the leaders of Montenegro can best answer that. They are the ones leading the process towards the EU. I am convinced that they will be successful.

How does Estonia view the current pace of EU enlargement and what could the entire Western Balkans region do to accelerate accession?

I would say that the answer is already visible in what Montenegro and Albania are doing: they need to complete their obligations at a good pace and look to the future, not the past.

Many leaders from the Western Balkans have said this too - you should keep your eyes on the future, not the past. Also, you should not allow yourself to be distracted by foreign influences, for example Russia. They are constantly whispering and saying that you will not enter the club, that you do not belong there and that you should turn to them.

The most important thing is to see the goal, work for it and achieve the approach. If there is some form of gradual system, you will be at the table earlier. And this summit is a sign of that. The European Political Community (EPC) is also one of the initial mechanisms, and the Franco-German document is the basis for further discussion.

What do you think about the idea of ​​temporarily limiting veto rights for new members? Do you think Montenegro should agree to that?

If you mean temporary restrictions on accession, I would say that probably doesn't hurt anyone. But the ultimate goal must be the same: equal rights and full membership. Nothing else.

Is there a risk that current geopolitical tensions and the war with Iran will slow down the enlargement process?

There is always a risk, but I hope this could speed up the process. When you see what is happening in the world, it should be a reminder that Europe, although predictable and maybe even a little boring, is a club you want to be in.

You have allies, friends you can rely on, partners and an economic market that supports your exports. Events around the world remind everyone why the European Union exists. It was originally a project of peace and trade. It still is.

When you look at the developments in the Gulf (Middle East), or elsewhere, it becomes even clearer that the EU is a good place to belong.

What are the most important lessons that Estonia has learned during European integration that could be useful for Montenegro and other small states?

For Estonia, one key principle comes from our former president Lenart Merija: “Never Alone Again”.

For us, that was the main goal, which required the implementation of various reforms. Today, people sometimes forget that path and focus on the criticism that Europe produces rules that are not always necessary.

Of course, a certain level of standardisation is necessary, but excessive bureaucracy should be avoided. It is important to remember why we are doing this: so that the European Union can function effectively as a whole, because everyone benefits. Larger and smaller Member States need each other, and the Union is stronger when it welcomes new members who share the same values.

That is my next question - what are the challenges for small countries and what are the benefits of EU membership?

At the European Council table, there are smaller and larger countries in terms of population, but when you are at that table, you are part of the decision-making process.

I sit at the table in the Council as a representative of a small country. Some come from medium-sized countries, some leaders from larger ones. That is not crucial. What matters is the quality of the ideas - often the best solutions are those that help the European Union move forward.

For smaller countries, the benefits are clear: security, access to the single market, financial stability through the euro, as well as strong ties and support in times of crisis, including critical infrastructure. I would also like to point out that the EU, including the Commission led by Ursula von der Lajen, has managed recent crises very effectively, including Covid-2019 and others.

With online services - everything is available

Estonia is a leader in digital transformation and e-government. What lessons can Montenegro learn and how can digital technologies accelerate its European path?

In Estonia, having services available online means that everything is available to you - you can apply for services, submit documents and manage processes digitally, wherever you are. I can also access Estonian e-services while I am in Montenegro and use them in the same way.

This creates transparency, including processes such as permits and public administration, where it is always clear who did what and when. There is no need to move paper files or rely on unclear procedures.

At the same time, digitalization is also about data protection and trust. In Estonia, we have a strong system of checks and balances. For example, there are real cases where even famous people using healthcare services can see exactly who has accessed their data and when.

When you go to the hospital, if your records are on paper and sensitive information is leaked to the media, you often don't know who accessed it or how it happened. But when the systems are digital, you can see exactly who accessed your medical records and you can ask why.

That's why strong checks and balances are essential. In Estonia, we have a system where citizens can see 24/7 who has accessed their data and when. I would recommend such transparency and accountability mechanisms more widely.

Many opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation

What opportunities do you see for strengthening economic cooperation between Montenegro and Estonia?

There are many, honestly. Starting with tourism - as we speak, the weather outside is probably better than in the middle of summer in Estonia. There is clear potential in better air connections, which would already make a big difference.

Secondly, there could be cooperation in the IT sector, defense and other areas where we could work together. There are many possibilities.