Ivanović: Citizens’ support is the strongest confirmation of the Government’s reform course

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović assessed that the latest Eurobarometer findings confirm that Montenegro’s European path continues to enjoy strong and stable public support, stressing that European integration is increasingly perceived by citizens as a matter of values and civilisational belonging.

The Eurobarometer findings confirm what is today the most important political and social fact in Montenegro – that our country’s European path enjoys strong and stable support from citizens, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

He emphasised that the citizens of Montenegro do not view the European Union as a merely administrative objective, but rather as the natural framework to which Montenegro historically, politically and culturally belongs.

It is particularly important that citizens increasingly perceive European integration as a matter of values and civilisational orientation. This is why enlargement policy has throughout history represented far more than a process of accession of new states – it has been a policy of European unification. From the six founding states to today’s 27 members, and soon 28, every enlargement has meant more democracy and greater security, he said.

Speaking about Montenegro’s European perspective, the Deputy Prime Minister assessed that Montenegro today stands as proof that enlargement policy remains the most important instrument of European unification.

Montenegro today is not only the most advanced candidate for membership in the European Union, but also proof that enlargement policy continues to be the strongest instrument of European unification. Our European future simultaneously represents confirmation of the success of that policy and an investment in the future of the European continent, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

He added that growing public trust in institutions confirms that reform processes are delivering results, while public support represents an additional incentive for continuing the country’s European course.

The increase in trust in institutions demonstrates that reforms are producing results, while citizens’ support remains the strongest confirmation of the legitimacy of the Government of Montenegro’s work and an encouragement for an even more determined continuation of the reform course, with a clear vision of Montenegro becoming the next member state of the European Union, Ivanović concluded.

The Deputy Prime Minister also extended congratulations to citizens on the occasion of 9 May.

Happy Europe Day and Victory Day, Ivanović said.