Zenović at the GLOBSEC Forum: European Integration Is a Tool for Improving Citizens’ Lives

Montenegro’s Chief Negotiator with the European Union, Predrag Zenović, participated in the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague in the panels “The Role of Southeast Europe in Global Systemic Transformation” and “From Policy to Citizens: Security and Opportunities Through Regional Cooperation and European Union Enlargement,” dedicated to the future of Southeast Europe, regional cooperation, and the European Union enlargement policy.

Speaking about the current geopolitical moment and the importance of European integration for the region, Zenović stated that the enlargement policy today is much more than an administrative process of accession to the European Union.

“European Union enlargement represents a geostrategic and geoeconomic necessity for the Union itself, but also a reliable framework for strengthening regional cooperation based on the rule of law, economic convergence, and good neighbourly relations,” said Zenović.

He emphasized that, despite contemporary challenges, the European project fundamentally remains a project of peace, stability, and prosperity.

“Integration is not an end in itself — it is a tool for improving the lives of citizens of both candidate countries and European Union member states. That is why it is important for the enlargement policy to remain credible and grounded in shared European values,” Zenović stressed.

Speaking about the European perspective of the region, the Chief Negotiator assessed that Montenegro’s membership as the next European Union member state would represent a strong confirmation that the enlargement policy remains credible and strategically oriented toward the future of the entire Western Balkans.

“The example of Montenegro as the frontrunner in the accession process demonstrates that through the quality of reforms, institutional stability, and alignment with European values, it can be confirmed that the enlargement policy remains alive, transformative, and geopolitically relevant,” said Zenović.

During the discussions, particular attention was devoted to the need for stronger regional connectivity, creating better opportunities for young people and higher-quality jobs, improving economic resilience, and strengthening the political stability of the Western Balkans in the context of changing global relations and security challenges.

The GLOBSEC Forum is one of the most significant international platforms for dialogue on global security, geopolitics, and the future of Europe, bringing together senior officials, decision-makers, political leaders, representatives of international organizations, business, academia, and civil society from around the world.