Montenegro: President Jakov Milatović desires to hitch the EU by 2028 | EUROtoday

Herr Präsident, die Europäische Kommission feiert Montenegro als „Vorreiter“ unter den Beitrittskandidaten. Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen sagt, die Erweiterung sei erstmals seit vielen Jahren eine realistische Möglichkeit. Halten Sie an dem Ziel fest, dass Montenegro in zwei Jahren der EU beitritt?

Yes, we do. Montenegro is about to develop into the twenty eighth member state of the EU by 2028 – we nonetheless consider that to be life like. If President von der Leyen acknowledges that Montenegro is a pioneer, that’s not information to us – This has been the case for a while. Of all of the ten candidate nations, Montenegro is the one one which has opened the entire negotiating chapters. We have additionally closed most of them: 14 so far. We hope to have closed all of the chapters by the tip of this 12 months or subsequent 12 months, in order that the second half of 2027 and maybe 2028 will probably be prepared for the ratification of Montenegro’s accession to the EU 27 member states stay. Whether accession will happen in 2028 or 2029 shouldn’t be decisive – but it surely ought to happen through the time period of workplace of the present Commission.

It’s a baseline situation. The accession course of modified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. European politicians – in Brussels and within the Member States – have understood that enlargement is greater than a technical course of. They perceive that it’s intently linked to the safety of the European continent. The course of has develop into geopolitical once more.

Serbia is the biggest of Montenegro’s 5 neighboring states. Should Montenegro really be a part of the EU, may that additionally enhance pro-European sentiments in Serbia, which haven’t been significantly robust not too long ago?

Montenegro’s accession to the EU can be larger than Montenegro itself: it might sign to all candidate states that the enlargement course of is alive. The final nation to hitch the EU was Croatia in 2013 – greater than ten years in the past. Since then, Great Britain has left. If Montenegro joins now, it might have an enormously constructive impression on all candidate nations, together with Serbia. The message can be: reforms and a brand new political tradition repay.

However, the case of Hungary has proven {that a} single member that systematically abuses its proper of veto can block the EU’s overseas coverage. Do you perceive why there’s nice skepticism in lots of member states about admitting one other member with veto energy?

This level is exaggerated. Currently the EU has 27 member states and there’s at all times the chance that one member will block sure issues. Why are we specializing in Montenegro or another potential new member? Although we’re not but a member, we now have been aligning our overseas and safety coverage nearly fully – if not fully – with the EU for at the very least 15 years.

Hungary was additionally a loyal EU member in 2010. Then got here Viktor Orbán. There is concern that Montenegro may additionally produce an Orbán tomorrow or the day after after which block the EU.

But that may additionally occur in France or Germany, proper? The query we should always take into consideration is whether or not unanimity is the best manner – or whether or not a professional majority shouldn’t be sufficient for sure choices. This is extra rational than speculating about whether or not Montenegro would possibly block one thing.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama not too long ago prompt in a joint visitor article within the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the to this point unresolved veto drawback may very well be prevented by together with certified nations within the European inner market and the Schengen space. Could this even be an interim answer for Montenegro?

Of course I learn that, and from the authors’ viewpoint it’s extremely respectable. But Montenegro is following the normal EU accession course of like all nations to this point. We are negotiating to develop into a full member state.

Are you maybe overestimating the sympathy in Paris and Berlin in the direction of EU enlargement? In each nations, aside from Sunday speeches, there isn’t a majority in parliament for Montenegro’s full membership.

We will know this when this query comes earlier than the parliaments of those nations. As a realistic and reform-minded politician, I deal with issues that Montenegro can really management. We nonetheless have homework to do and shut the remaining 19 chapters of the accession course of. At the identical time, I’m attempting to do intensive diplomatic work – not solely within the European establishments such because the Commission or the European Parliament, but additionally in every of the member states, as a result of they are going to finally resolve on our membership. I converse not solely to the governments or presidents of those nations, but additionally to the parliaments, with completely different political spectrums, as a result of we perceive that Montenegro is becoming a member of a membership of democratic nations the place governments can change. It is as much as us to speak about the advantages of our accession not solely with governments but additionally with opposition events.

Behind the scenes, France has been holding Montenegro again at each step for a while, even delaying the creation of a working group to organize the accession treaty. It would not appear thinking about changing into extra full EU members.

It is true that we had one thing of a possible setback in December when France blocked the closure of at the very least two negotiating chapters. But I spoke on to President Macron and clarified that. When I used to be in France, along with speaking to the President, I additionally visited Parliament, introduced Montenegro’s case and answered many questions from French MPs, together with some very troublesome ones. My impression is that President Macron is able to assist a brand new member state.