Ivanović for Pobjeda: Montenegro must not miss historic opportunity for EU membership

Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović stated in an interview with the daily newspaper Pobjeda that Montenegro must seize the current momentum of European integration and achieve internal readiness to close all negotiating chapters by the end of the year.

Ivanović emphasized that Montenegro’s European perspective is both realistic and attainable, stressing that all institutions must act in a coordinated manner in order to fulfill the remaining obligations on the country’s path toward membership in the European Union.

Over recent years, Montenegro has achieved a level of democratic maturity in which citizens understand that, in political life, there are no final battles or fateful elections. Elections will come and go, but this momentum in European integration and the opportunity for Montenegro to finally conclude negotiations that have lasted for fourteen years are unlikely to be repeated if missed now, Ivanović stated.

Speaking about public opinion within EU member states regarding enlargement, Ivanović noted that, based on numerous discussions, he has gained the impression that skepticism toward enlargement generally does not relate to Montenegro as a future member state.

The greater the knowledge about Montenegro, the more positive the perception of its accession becomes, Ivanović said, underscoring the importance of public diplomacy and the promotion of Montenegro within EU member states.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that the reform process must not be slowed down by party or pre-election interests.

Particular party interests are often not aligned with state interests, which concern all citizens, Ivanović stated.

The full interview is available at: https://www.pobjeda.me/clanak/ivanovic-djelovima-politicke-scene-bi-odgovaralo-da-se-dio-eu-reformi-ostavi-za-izbornu-godinu