Milatović: EU membership by 2028 is achievable; Costa: We are counting the days until the next enlargement; Von der Leyen: It is a geostrategic priority

Today is a great day for Montenegro. It is a great honor for us to have hosted the EU - Western Balkans Summit, an event that will be remembered as the largest diplomatic gathering in Montenegro’s modern history, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović said at the press conference following the summit held in Tivat.

He added that EU leaders had gathered in Montenegro for the first time, together with partners from the Western Balkans.

- The fact that this summit is taking place in the year when we mark the 20th anniversary of the restoration of our independence gives this event a special significance. Twenty years ago, Montenegro restored its independence peacefully, and today Montenegro is bringing Europe together. This is a powerful confirmation of the maturity we have demonstrated - Milatović emphasized.

According to him, the summit demonstrated that the EU’s enlargement policy remains a strategic priority and sent a message that Montenegro’s accession to the European Union is an achievable goal.

- There have been periods of progress, but also periods of stagnation. The 2023 presidential elections brought new energy and renewed credibility to Montenegro’s European path. The goal of becoming the next EU member state has become a national project with a clear deadline. This objective is realistic and achievable, and it enjoys strong support from all our European partners - Milatović said.

Montenegro, he noted, has already demonstrated that it acts as a member state in many respects, while its full alignment with EU values shows that it is a reliable partner.

For Montenegro, EU membership represents recognition of years of reform efforts, he added.

Another dimension, according to Milatović, is the regional one, closely linked to the Western Balkans.

- Montenegro wants to serve as an example for other countries in the Western Balkans - he stressed.

The third dimension is the European one.

- Montenegro’s accession would send a message about the attractiveness and credibility of the European project. Today we are sending a clear message: Montenegro is ready for the final phase - Milatović stated.

He emphasized Montenegro’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, media freedom, and human dignity.

- Over the past three years, since I was elected President, I have consistently conveyed to European leaders my conviction that Montenegro can become an EU member state by 2028. Today, I am even more convinced of that goal - Milatović said, adding that the summit had sent a message of a shared future and European unity.Today is a great day for Montenegro. It is a great honor for us to have hosted the EU - Western Balkans Summit, an event that will be remembered as the largest diplomatic gathering in Montenegro’s modern history, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović said at the press conference following the summit held in Tivat.

He added that EU leaders had gathered in Montenegro for the first time, together with partners from the Western Balkans.

- The fact that this summit is taking place in the year when we mark the 20th anniversary of the restoration of our independence gives this event a special significance. Twenty years ago, Montenegro restored its independence peacefully, and today Montenegro is bringing Europe together. This is a powerful confirmation of the maturity we have demonstrated - Milatović emphasized.

According to him, the summit demonstrated that the EU’s enlargement policy remains a strategic priority and sent a message that Montenegro’s accession to the European Union is an achievable goal.

- There have been periods of progress, but also periods of stagnation. The 2023 presidential elections brought new energy and renewed credibility to Montenegro’s European path. The goal of becoming the next EU member state has become a national project with a clear deadline. This objective is realistic and achievable, and it enjoys strong support from all our European partners - Milatović said.

Montenegro, he noted, has already demonstrated that it acts as a member state in many respects, while its full alignment with EU values shows that it is a reliable partner.

For Montenegro, EU membership represents recognition of years of reform efforts, he added.

Another dimension, according to Milatović, is the regional one, closely linked to the Western Balkans.

- Montenegro wants to serve as an example for other countries in the Western Balkans - he stressed.

The third dimension is the European one.

- Montenegro’s accession would send a message about the attractiveness and credibility of the European project. Today we are sending a clear message: Montenegro is ready for the final phase - Milatović stated.

He emphasized Montenegro’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, media freedom, and human dignity.

- Over the past three years, since I was elected President, I have consistently conveyed to European leaders my conviction that Montenegro can become an EU member state by 2028. Today, I am even more convinced of that goal - Milatović said, adding that the summit had sent a message of a shared future and European unity.

President of the European Council António Costa said that Montenegro’s achievements in the twenty years since regaining independence have been impressive.

- We are counting the days until the next enlargement and the day when Montenegro becomes a new member state by 2028 - Costa stressed.

He added that new ideas are being considered to accelerate the accession process, increase ambition for enlargement, and strengthen the security and economic prosperity of the Western Balkans.

Costa said he had encouraged all partners to seize the current momentum and accelerate their progress toward EU membership.

- The Western Balkans can count on our support. The European Union will remain a partner, because the future of the Western Balkans lies within the EU - Costa stated.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that EU enlargement is a geostrategic priority.

- Progress in accession negotiations based on results means that this is a fair process. When reforms are delivered, progress on the European path must follow - von der Leyen said.

She summarized the summit in two words: determination and reliability.

- Determination to make the future of the Western Balkans within the European Union a reality, and reliability in ensuring that the Union will continue to grow and that Montenegro will become a member state by 2028. That goal is within reach. We hope that Albania will follow your example and that the entire region will move closer to the Union - von der Leyen said.

Negotiation dynamics

Responding to a question about whether Montenegro’s accession negotiations had slowed down, von der Leyen said that the pace at which Montenegro is delivering results is impressive.

- The President of Montenegro, the Prime Minister, and the Parliament are working together. Keep up the good work. The goal is to close all negotiating clusters by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. You are approaching the finish line, which is also the starting point - EU membership – Von der Leyen said.

Answering the same question, Milatović described the day as a major success for Montenegro.

- The door is fully open. We have demonstrated maturity and political unity. After this summit, I am convinced that Montenegro will absolutely be able to join the European Union by 2028 - he stated.

Asked about gradual integration into the EU, Milatović said that Montenegro’s situation is unique and that the non-paper initiative represents a constructive approach for helping all candidate countries move toward their objective.

Costa noted that enlargement does not necessarily have to be a slow process.

- Everyone must work faster and harder - he added.

Von der Leyen reiterated that merit-based accession is supported by all EU member states.

Ukraine, Russia, Serbia...

Responding to a question on Ukraine, Costa said that since February 24, 2022, the European Union has consistently advocated for a just peace in Ukraine, which requires both pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine.

- The major news is that we have managed to unblock the process, and we can now assume that it may also be possible to unblock the process for Ukraine - said the President of the European Council.

Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s full support for Ukraine.

- As for China, we welcome competition, but it must be fair competition. What matters is reducing risks - she said.

Commenting on developments in Serbia, von der Leyen reiterated that EU accession is based on merit.

- If Serbia delivers results in implementing reforms, it may be able to open Cluster Three. The European Union wants Serbia to become part of the Union, but it must meet the required criteria - von der Leyen said.

Costa added that Serbian authorities had presented a roadmap of planned activities.

- The Serbian authorities have said they will amend legislation in order to comply with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. Based on their results, we will assess whether to open Cluster Three with Serbia or not - Costa concluded.