President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
stated
that Montenegro’s accession to the European Union as early as 2028 looks entirely realistic.
Павялічыць
Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
During a press conference in the Montenegrin city of Tivat, after a meeting of EU leaders with counterparts from Western Balkan countries who hope to join the European Union in the coming years, Ursula von der Leyen noted that the Western Balkan countries and the EU are actively strengthening cooperation. According to her, this is not just a promise for the future, but an important strategic direction for development.
Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of the EU Growth Plan, which opens access to a part of the common European market for companies in the region. This should help businesses expand their activities and attract new investments. She also mentioned efforts to abolish roaming charges between the countries of the region and the European Union.
According to her, the process of European integration is based on tangible results and implemented reforms. She highly praised the changes taking place in Montenegro and called the goal of the country’s accession to the EU in 2028 achievable.
Previously, the countries of the European Union had already agreed to begin preparations for the conclusion of an accession treaty for Montenegro to join the bloc. The country itself also declares its intention to become a new EU member by 2028.
In turn, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during this same meeting, emphasized that the fact that the EU has not accepted new members for 13 years indicates that «there have also been shortcomings on the part of the European Union».
«The European Union must demonstrate that it is capable and ready for expansion, and we want to discuss this here. Of course, there are a number of questions that we must answer, and we must answer them together,» he said.