Milatović before EP members: Montenegro's accession to the EU will be proof that reforms are leading towards the goal

Montenegro's accession to the European Union (EU) will be a shared success and proof that reforms are leading towards the goal and that Europe's common future remains open to those who share the same values, said Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović in his address to members of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg.

Milatović said that 20 years after the restoration of independence, Montenegro stands at the door of the EU.

"This is a historic moment for my country, but also an important moment for enlargement policy, considering that the last country joined the EU almost 15 years ago, while in the meantime one country has left the Union," said Milatović.

Therefore, as he added, this moment is an opportunity for Europe to show that reforms, democratic development and strategic consistency have a deserved place in the European family.

He said that the reforms implemented by the state affect every citizen of Montenegro.

"They relate to courts that work efficiently and fairly, to institutions that serve the public interest, to an economy that provides a dignified and prosperous life, and to young people who should have the opportunity to build their future in their own country," Milatović said.

He stated that the reforms being implemented today are shaping the generations that will lead the country tomorrow.

"That is why membership in the Union has a deep internal significance for Montenegro. It represents the culmination of national effort and the beginning of a new responsibility," said Milatović.

He said that a lot of time has passed since the last EU enlargement in 2013.

"Even more time has passed since the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003, when the European perspective of the Western Balkans was confirmed. In the meantime, Europe has changed. The world has changed. War has returned to the European continent. Security challenges have become more complex," Milatović added.

He said that geopolitical challenges have become an everyday occurrence.

"In such a world, enlargement takes on a new role: not the role of politics, but the role of imperative," Milatović believes.

As he stated, enlargement is an investment in the stability and security of the European continent.

"It is a response to those who want to make the European space more vulnerable, divided and insecure. It is proof of the EU's political strength and its ability to shape the future of its continent. It is confirmation that the European project continues to unite, inspire and transform," said Milatović.

He said that progress must be measured by results and that results must be recognized.

"Today, Montenegro is ready to be proof of that principle," Milatović added.

He stated that the country has opened all 33 negotiation chapters and temporarily closed 16.

"So, almost half. The EU Council has started work on the draft accession treaty with Montenegro. This is an institutional signal that our European finale has become a concrete political and legal process," said Milatović.

He stated that Montenegro is in many ways already strategically aligned with the EU at various levels.

"Montenegro has shown that it knows where it belongs. It has shown that it understands the responsibilities that a European future entails. It has proven its strategic reliability, institutional seriousness and citizens' support for membership in the Union," Milatović added.

He said that the democratic maturity of Montenegrin society was particularly confirmed by the peaceful change of government in 2020.

"While the results of the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections have given new momentum to our European path," said Milatović.

He said that the state still has work to do.

"We know this. Strengthening the rule of law, independent institutions and efficient public administration, while simultaneously focusing on economic convergence with the EU, remain our key tasks," said Milatović.

He said that Montenegro is entering the final phase with open eyes, with a clear awareness of its responsibilities and with determination to bring this mission to an end.

Milatović recalled that Montenegro hosted the EU-Western Balkans Summit about ten days ago.

"If the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003 opened the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the Montenegro Summit confirmed that the enlargement policy has regained momentum, with Montenegro truly leading the process," said Milatović.

He said that he believes that this EP will have a special place in the history of European enlargement.

"The last time the EP ratified the accession treaty of a future member state was the treaty with Croatia, in December 2011, almost 15 years ago. I sincerely hope that during your mandate you will do the same in the case of Montenegro," said Milatović.

He said that Montenegro's accession to the EU "will be our common victory."

"Success for Montenegro and success for the EU. It will also be an encouragement for the entire Western Balkans. It will be proof that reforms are leading towards the goal, that your promises have credibility and that the common future of Europe remains open to those who share the same values," said Milatović.

He said that Montenegro is ready.

"Montenegro is ready to take on the responsibilities of a member state. We are ready to contribute to European policies. We are ready to tie our future to a common European future. We are ready to be the next EU member," said Milatović.

He stated that Montenegro is facing a historic opportunity.

"For Montenegro, it is an opportunity to complete a generational undertaking. For the Union, it is an opportunity to confirm the determination of its enlargement policy. For the Western Balkans, it is an opportunity to see that the European path is bringing concrete results," said Milatović.