Montenegro’s Path to EU Membership Continues Positively

The main focus of Montenegro at the moment is to gain EU membership approval, and progress is currently on the right track following a meeting between government representatives including Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić & the EU Officials.

One of the key aspects being discussed was Montenegro’s continued recognition of EU values which includes an open society, unity, inclusiveness, tolerance and diversity, and Krivokapić was keen to point out the improvements & new laws that have been made since the new government has been in power, and that these values are cherished and respected by all ministers and officials. He was also keen to point out that on-going discussions were going well with more localised regional government officials who had adopted recent changes & were making Montenegro more inclusive & tolerant.

EU officials also pressed on the state of organised crime within Montenegro which has been an issue over recent years, now seems to be on a huge decline as a result of the changes & powers that the newly formed team in the Ministry of Justice have implemented. Keen to demonstrate the powers in action, and that their aim is to be seen as a reliable partner to the International Community, the Police recently seized more than a ton of illegal drugs from a shipment near Podgorica (valued at around €3m) and are investigating further in order to carry out more arrests.

Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa is more than hopeful and commented that ‘the upcoming week will show Montenegro’s capacity to make progress on the European Path. Montenegro needs unity, dialogue and joint work of all decision makers in the interests of all citizens. That is key to its European Future’.

Slovenia which holds the presidency of the European Council expected the Government to make the additional changes, to implement all policies and to uphold EU values & they would be there for Montenegro every step of the way.

06.09.2021