Montenegro is a leader in European integration, but it is not realistic to expect that the European Union will receive new members in the near future, said Vice President of the Foreign Policy Committee of the European Parliament Anders Primdal Vistisen.
"I do not consider it realistic that any expansion will happen in the near future. There is no appetite for EU expansion among the member states. Moreover, in order to have a successful enlargement, the candidate countries must achieve full harmonization with the social and economic standards of the EU, and this requires numerous and radical reforms, and that means time," said Vistisen to "Vijesta" when asked how realistic the claims of certain officials are. that there will be no new expansions before 2027.
Citing several EU officials, "Politico" stated that with Brexit and negotiations over the new 2020-2026 budget, Brussels simply has no room in its schedule before 2027 to consider new memberships. The head of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said at the beginning of his presidency that there would be no enlargement during his mandate. Junker recently said that he will not seek a second term.
The interlocutor of "Vijesti" believes that it would not be a good decision to replace Britain's departure from the EU with a new member before she fulfills all the conditions for membership.
"I don't consider a temporary extension a quick fix. Rather, premature enlargement can jeopardize the harmony and further development of the EU," said this Danish member of the EP.
According to him, Montenegro is a leader in European integration with clear progress in negotiations. However, she still has a lot of work ahead of her.
"There is clear progress in the negotiations with Montenegro. The priority must be to continue progress in the electoral process, in respecting and encouraging freedom of the press, plurality of opinions and improving the economy," Vistisen said.
He said that we should not ignore the "known weaknesses" of Montenegro - corruption and organized crime.
"These are known weaknesses and they have existed in all those areas for years," he said, adding that the Organization for European Security and Cooperation had noted certain advances in those areas.
Vistisen emphasizes that Montenegro also has a role in calming tensions in the traditionally unstable Western Balkans.
"At the moment there are real tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, but, more than ever before, there is more cooperation and dialogue between the Balkan countries and the EU and NATO. There is no risk of an immediate conflict, and Montenegro has the opportunity, through the process of negotiation and accession, to calm tensions in the region," said the vice president of the EP Foreign Policy Committee.
There is no reason to worry in the EU because of Trump
The vice-president of the EP Foreign Policy Committee believes that the fact that Donald Trump succeeded Barack Obama in the White House should not be seen as a cause for concern.
"I am happy that President Trump confirmed his firm commitment to NATO and its security guarantees. It is the most important element of European-American cooperation," Vistisen said. Trump previously called NATO "obsolete", but meanwhile expressed his full support for the military alliance.
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