Montenegro advances on the EU path, claims praise from Antonio Costa
- Antonio Costa praised Montenegro for its EU membership progress during his visit.
- Montenegro aims to become the 28th EU member state by 2028 through ongoing reforms.
- The EU's willingness to accept new members has increased since the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the geopolitical importance of Balkan stability.
PODGORICA, Montenegro, has been highlighted for its progress on the journey towards European Union membership, with European Council President Antonio Costa explicitly noting the country's advancements. This commendation came after a meeting between Costa and Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic, where the two leaders spoke on the topic in the capital city. Montenegro is aiming for EU membership by 2028 and remains committed to maintaining the pace of necessary reforms to achieve this goal. The significance of Montenegro's efforts reflects a broader context in which other Western Balkan countries are also aspiring to join the EU but are currently lagging behind Montenegro and Albania. After meeting with Milatovic, Costa emphasized that enlargement is crucial for the geopolitical stability and prosperity of both the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole, especially in light of the ongoing conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022. Costa's visit to Montenegro is part of a larger tour covering all six countries in the region, with an underlying goal to foster support and encouragement for their EU aspirations. The EU's current willingness to accept new members has notably increased due to concerns about stability in the Balkans amidst global tensions, highlighting the urgency of the integration process amidst fears of geopolitical instability. As the smallest country in the region by population, Montenegro, has made notable strides since it joined NATO in 2013, moving away from Russia's sphere of influence to align more closely with Western alliances. The country proudly holds the status of a frontrunner in European integration, which it enjoys alongside Albania. Both nations have demonstrated considerable progress compared to Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, which have shown slower advancement on their respective paths. Milatovic has committed to ensuring that Montenegro stays the course on its integration journey.