The next three years are crucial in order for Montenegro to become a full member of the EU by 2027 or 2028, said the country’s president Jakov Milatovic at the conference Review of 11 Years of Progress and Challenges – How to Revive Negotiations with the EU, organized by the Center for Civic Education (CGO). The head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa, said that EU enlargement had become one of the most important tools for long-term peace and prosperity, and emphasized that great progress had been made, but also that significant time had been lost.
Milatovic said that in the next year there would be room to step more strongly on the path to the EU.
“We, as decision-makers in Montenegro and decision-makers in Brussels, must take advantage of this moment,” said Milatovic.
It is important that in the next few months decisions are made when it comes to appointments in the judiciary, which are under the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Montenegro, and which, as he expects, should be constituted in late July.
“I expect the new convocation of the Parliament of Montenegro to act responsibly and to find a consensus when it comes to appointments in the judiciary,” said Milatovic.
As mentioned, it is about the appointment of the seventh judge of the Constitutional Court, the appointment of the Supreme State Prosecutor and three members of the Judicial Council.
“After that, I think there will be a positive step by the EU,” said Milatovic.
Popa said that EU enlargement had become one of the most important tools for long-term peace and prosperity. She added that “the EU is committed more than ever to the goal of bringing the region closer to the EU”.
