Gorčević in Austria: Montenegro will bring new energy to the European Union

Montenegro’s Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević paid an official visit to Austria, where she met with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family in the Federal Chancellery, Claudia Plakolm.

During the talks, Austria’s strong support for Montenegro’s European path was confirmed, as well as the readiness to continue intensive bilateral cooperation and exchange of experiences in the implementation of reforms.

“We owe gratitude to the Austrian government for its strong support, which was particularly reaffirmed by the recent visit of Chancellor Christian Stöcker to Montenegro. I want to emphasize that the citizens of Montenegro are especially grateful to Austria because it was among the first to come to our aid in fighting wildfires last month,” Minister Gorčević said after the meetings in Vienna.

She reminded her interlocutors that Montenegro plans to close all negotiation chapters by the end of 2026, and to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028, stressing that EU membership is more than a political goal – it is a generational dream of the citizens, especially the young.

They agreed that work should begin on the draft Accession Treaty of Montenegro to the European Union during the Danish Presidency of the EU Council, so that it could be finalized when Cyprus assumes this role.

“For us, this is a historic opportunity to demonstrate commitment to European values, democratic principles and stability, and to turn the enthusiasm of our citizens into membership in the Union,” Gorčević added.

Minister Meinl-Reisinger said that it is now the obligation of member states to inform their citizens about the benefits of EU enlargement and all the positive aspects of Montenegro’s membership in the Union.

“The European Union needs a positive story such as Montenegro because you are proof that the merit-based approach works. Enlargement will bring new energy to the Union,” she said.

Minister Plakolm emphasized that Montenegro is recognized as the most advanced candidate in the EU negotiation process and that Austria will continue to strongly support its European path, stressing that it is time to finally fulfill the promises made to the Western Balkans more than 20 years ago.

“If Europe does not act now, we will lose both the space and the hope of the people in the region. A merit-based approach in enlargement policy must be revived: we need concrete progress in order to achieve a higher level of stability in the region and in Europe, to give hope to young people and reduce the influence of other actors waiting to take our place,” Plakolm said.

She added that Montenegro is a frontrunner on the path to EU membership, that its reform path in recent years has been more than impressive, and that it is time to give recognition to these efforts. “Austria will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you on your path to Brussels. I look forward to continuing our support and close partnership,” Plakolm concluded.