Montenegro’s prime minister has told Euronews that his country joining the European Union successfully can revitalise the process for the rest of Balkan countries waiting to join the bloc after hosting a high-level political summit this week with EU leaders.
“The momentum is definitely different from previous times, we definitely see that everybody is hopping on a boat called the unification of Europe,” Milojko Spajić said in an interview on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans summit held in Tivat on Friday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that the country's membership is now “within reach”. Council chief António Costa told Euronews that it is possible for Montenegro to join the union by 2028.
All EU member states must approve the accession of a new country unanimously. European officials told Euronews that Montenegro has proven an ideal candidate, already in NATO, with a pro-European agenda and relatively small size, which makes the process easier compared to larger candidates that would demand more financial resources.
"This goal is realistic and achievable. It is strongly supported by all our European partners,” Milatovic said.
