English

Further enlargement good for EU as well

During the lecture held in Argentina, the President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, told the enlargement policy represents an optimal solution for the European Union (EU) as well,  and in case the Western Balkan countries do not accede to the EU in due course, the third countries might be meddling in its affairs.

President Đukanović held the lecture in Argentina on the topic “The Western Balkans and EU after Brexit – Montenegro’s viewpoint” and said that Montenegro, being the country that has significantly progressed in the EU accession talks, sometimes “perceives the enlargement as stuck on the same model from the beginning of this century”.

EU enlargement – an optimal solution for Montenegro as well

Đukanović had a clear message for Montenegro, region and the EU: “The EU enlargement process and deeper Europe’s unification are the only optimal solutions for my country, the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole.”

Montenegrin president also told he could find numerous arguments for the statement that “the Western Balkan countries were closer to the EU in 2016 than in the end of 2018.”

“The EU was facing much less challenges than today. After all, we didn’t have Brexit,” Đukanović called in mind.

He also emphasized that “Montenegro has launched intensive activities towards economic, institutional and democratic development.”

We understand the need of the European community to eliminate causes of crises

According to Đukanović, the Balkans’ real problem is economic backwardness. “The region is somewhere between 30-40% of the average standard of living of an EU citizen. If the GDP growth in the EU and the Balkans continues to increase at the same speed, the region will need around hundred years to reach Europe.”

Đukanović was also the main speaker at the ceremony marking 200 years since the arrival of the first Montenegrin family to Argentina, held at famous palace Jose de San Martin.

 

 

Send this to a friend