© Getty Images The nation is making its ultimate moves towards integration.
Montenegro has advanced again on its journey to enter the European Union, reports Politico.
This Wednesday, EU officials commenced labor on an entry agreement expected to steer the Balkan nation to membership within the European Union.
EU envoys sanctioned the establishment of a dedicated group — the Ad Hoc Working Party — which will encompass representatives from EU member states.
The group will convene periodically to reach agreement on the judicial aspects of Montenegro’s prospective integration into the EU.
“This represents a noteworthy stride in Montenegro’s entry procedure and a robust indication to all aspiring nations that EU membership stays achievable,” stated a spokesperson for the Cyprus EU presidency following the group’s inaugural session.
The Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, has already finalized 14 out of the 33 negotiation chapters that must be preliminarily concluded prior to joining the European Union.
The most demanding matter continues to be the rule of law. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged Montenegro to persist with reforms.
Montenegro, home to approximately 600,000 residents, secured EU candidate status in 2010, four years following its separation from Serbia.
Accession discussions formally commenced in 2012. The nation has established 2028 as its objective for becoming a member of the European Union.
Even the domestic airline employs the corporate motto “28 by 28.” The European Commission has also regarded Montenegro as a potential testing ground for an innovative model of EU enlargement.
This entails a system of phased, two-level entry, designed to forestall the development of a “Hungary 2.0” — namely, a scenario wherein a nation starts exhibiting democratic regression post-accession. Nevertheless, this concept has encountered opposition from specific EU countries in recent months.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also paid a visit to Montenegro on Wednesday. He engaged with the country’s President Jakov Milatović.
Following their meeting, Milatović posted on X that the parties addressed “essential elements the nation must address in the concluding phase of talks with the European Union.”
These particularly involve regional steadiness and dependable membership within NATO.
Previously, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic conveyed that his country was expediting efforts to join the EU not primarily for economic considerations, but for security imperatives. He posits that the European Union could represent “the ultimate peaceful endeavor on Earth.”