The enlargement of the European Union (EU) is no longer a promise for tomorrow but a priority for today, said the President of the European Parliament (EP) Roberta Mecola, adding that Montenegro is leading the way on the EU path with half of the chapters closed.
Mecola said this at a press conference at the EP in Strasbourg, after a meeting with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović.
She said that after important decisions on the start of accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine, the EP will discuss the European future of the Western Balkans.
She said that on Thursday, during the European Council, they will discuss the concrete steps to follow.
Mecola said that the message is clear and that enlargement is no longer a promise for tomorrow.
"That is the priority for today, and things are finally, and I use the word finally, moving. And Montenegro is leading the way in this, with half of the accession chapters closed, with two more chapters closed yesterday, the total number has increased to 16," said Meceola.
She said that work on the accession treaty has begun and that this shows that enlargement is a merit-based process.
“It also shows that hard work on reforms is paying off and that enlargement is truly a merit-based process. It also shows that enlargement is not a gift, but a strategic choice, it is a mutually beneficial and strong geopolitical investment that makes our entire continent safer, fairer, more stable and more prosperous,” said Mezzola.
She stated that "as we approach the first enlargement in more than a decade, we also need to address fears."
“Let us address them honestly, let us concretely demonstrate the tangible benefits that enlargement brings, and let us build the trust and confidence necessary to work together,” said Mezzola.
She said that the EP has always been the strongest advocate of enlargement.
"We will continue to stand by Montenegro every step of the way as we work together to bring this process to a conclusion, because we want to see Montenegrin MEPs in the EP soon," said Mecola.
Responding to the question of whether the goal of membership in 2028 is achievable, she said that the EU is an advocate of Montenegro's accession, but that the state should first fulfill everything that is required of it.
Milatović said that the country is now entering the final phase of EU accession.
"And I want today, in front of all MEPs, in this house of European democracy, to speak about the progress that Montenegro, which is leading among all candidate countries, has achieved so far," said Milatović.
He added that he also wants to send a very clear message that Montenegro is ready for membership by 2028.
"The message we heard during the recent summit we organized in Montenegro, the EU summit on the Western Balkans, which was very successful, where we slightly refreshed optimism regarding enlargement, is that Montenegro is ready to become the 28th EU member state by 2028," said Milatović.
Milatović said that he hopes that the EP will ratify an accession treaty for the first time since 2011, and that it will be Montenegro.
"And in that sense, I am sincerely determined to do everything necessary and required for Montenegro to become the 28th EU member state by 2028," said Milatović.
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