Montenegro's future 'lies in the EU', says Belgian Foreign minister
Foreign minister Maxime Prévot concluded the first leg of his week-long mission to the Western Balkans in Montenegro on Tuesday. Montenegro, widely regarded as the Balkan country furthest along in the EU accession process, aims to join the bloc by 2028.
Prévot is visiting Montenegro for the first time, and praised the proactive approach of the country's authorities upon his arrival. "Montenegro has implemented its reform agenda at a brisk pace," he said during a visit to Luštica Bay, a luxury resort in the south of the country being developed by Belgian construction group Besix.
Prévot was subsequently received at Villa Gorica in the capital, Podgorica, where he met Montenegro's Foreign minister, Ervin Ibrahimović. "I am here to deliver a message of strong support. Your future lies in the EU. You are already a member of the European family and that is where your future lies. That future is near and will become a reality," Prévot said.
Ibrahimović said Belgium's "constant and principled support is a significant encouragement for the reform process."
"You are already a member of the European family and that is where your future lies"
To realise its European ambitions, however, Montenegro must still make progress on judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and the resolution of bilateral disputes, including those with Croatia, Prévot said.
He also stressed the need for the EU to reform its internal decision-making. "We must pay attention to the Balkan countries if we want them to look more towards Brussels than Moscow at a geopolitical level, despite the hybrid threats, disinformation and hidden agendas. But if we cannot vote by qualified majority, if we do not relax the unanimity rule, then enlargement makes no sense."
Prévot is continuing his mission in Serbia, which is also a candidate country but is considerably further behind Montenegro in the accession process.
Belgian minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot and Montenegro minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimovic © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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