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European Union

European Council President Praises Montenegro's Progress Towards EU Membership

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

European Council President Antonio Costa lauded Montenegro on Wednesday for its remarkable progress on the path towards membership in the European Union, hailing the small Balkan country as a prime example of the EU's successful enlargement momentum. As part of a tour of the Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU, Costa met with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in the capital Podgorica, where Milatovic emphasized the country's commitment to meeting its 2028 target for EU membership.

Key Takeaways:

  • Montenegro, along with Albania, has been at the forefront of the EU membership path, while Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia are lagging behind.
  • The country has made significant strides in its European integration, with President Milatovic pledging to maintain the pace of reforms to fulfill its EU membership agenda.
  • Montenegro is the smallest of the Western Balkan countries, with a population of just over 600,000 people, but has been a member of NATO since 2013.
  • European Council President Antonio Costa described enlargement as the "most important geopolitical investment in the stability, peace, and prosperity in the Western Balkans and the whole of Europe."
  • Countries such as Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia are also vying for EU membership but face significant challenges in meeting the necessary criteria.
  • The EU's willingness to accept new members has increased since the onset of the all-out war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, driven by fears of potential instability in the volatile Balkans.
  • Montenegro's President Milatovic emphasized the country's determination to maintain its status as a frontrunner in European integration, with a commitment to completing its EU membership agenda by 2028.
  • The EU has a long history of working with the Western Balkans to facilitate integration and cooperation.

Statistics:

  • Montenegro has a population of over 600,000 people.
  • The country has been a member of NATO since 2013.
  • The European Union currently has 27 member states.
  • Montenegro aims to become the 28th member state of the EU by 2028.
  • The population of the Western Balkan countries, which include Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, totals approximately 20 million people.

Sources:

  • AP news wire: European Council President Antonio Costa praises Montenegro for its progress on the path toward EU membership.
  • AP news wire: Montenegro, Albania at forefront of EU membership path.
  • AP news wire: Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo and North Macedonia lagging behind in EU membership.

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