Gorčević: Montenegro Already Contributes to Strengthening Europe’s Democratic Resilience

Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević participated in Luxembourg in a ministerial discussion on the European Democracy Shield and democratic resilience, organised on the margins of the General Affairs Council (GAC), where she presented Montenegro’s positions and experience in strengthening the resilience of democratic institutions, the electoral process, and the information space.

The minister’s participation followed the closure of two more negotiating chapters at the Intergovernmental Conference with the EU in Luxembourg, which further confirmed Montenegro’s status as the most advanced candidate country for membership and its readiness to contribute to shared European priorities.

“We are not waiting for membership to act as part of the European Union. We are already fully aligning our foreign and security policy with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy and actively contributing to our shared objectives,” Gorčević said.

She stressed that Montenegro views democracy, the rule of law, and European values not only as accession criteria, but as the foundation of overall social progress.

At the meeting, discussions were held on strengthening cooperation between the European Union and candidate countries in the field of democratic resilience, including possibilities for their association with European mechanisms such as the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. Gorčević emphasised that Montenegro has concrete experience in addressing modern challenges to democracy and is ready to share it with European partners.

As she stated, threats such as disinformation, hybrid pressures, and attempts to undermine citizens’ trust in institutions do not recognize borders and cannot be addressed individually.

“Democratic resilience cannot be built in separate circles, because the threats we face do not stop at the borders of the Union,” Gorčević said.

She recalled that Montenegro has established a Coordination Body for Protection against Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), and is strengthening capacities in the areas of electoral integrity, media freedom, media literacy, cybersecurity, and the fight against hybrid threats.

Gorčević assessed that candidate countries should be included in key mechanisms of the European Democracy Shield from the very beginning, as European democratic resilience can only be built through cooperation based on trust.

“Montenegro is ready not only to benefit from the European Democracy Shield, but also to help build it. As we move closer to EU membership, we are ready to contribute our experience, expertise, and commitment to making European democracy stronger, safer, and more resilient for all Europeans,” Gorčević concluded.