Wadephul: Montenegro is making significant progress toward European Union integration

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, has said Montenegro has made significant progress in its European Union accession process.

During his stay in Budva, Wadephul said Podgorica’s goal of joining the EU is drawing attention in Brussels and in European capitals.

The German minister cited Montenegro as a model for other Western Balkan countries. He also announced that an agreement had been reached to deepen regional cooperation in reconciliation and reform.

Wadephul visited Montenegro on Wednesday for the annual meeting of foreign ministers held as part of the Berlin Process. The meeting in Budva was also attended by Montenegro’s Foreign Minister, Ervin Ibrahimović, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

According to Deutsche Welle, as reported by “Bota sot,” Wadephul wrote on the social network X that Montenegro’s aspiration to join the European Union is being heard both in Brussels and in European capitals.

In talks with his Montenegrin counterpart, Ibrahimović, the German foreign minister stressed that countries with the willingness and capacity to meet the membership criteria can make successful progress in the coming years.

Montenegro ranks among the most advanced Western Balkan countries in terms of European integration. Its EU accession negotiations began in 2012.

The European Union enlargement process also includes Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, while Kosovo holds potential candidate status.

With a population of around 623,000, Montenegro aims to become the EU’s 28th member state by 2028. The euro has been used in the country since 2002, while independence from its union with Serbia was declared in 2006. In 2017, Montenegro joined NATO.

Deutsche Welle reports that around 80 percent of Montenegrin citizens support their country’s membership in the European Union.

Progress in economic and democratic reforms has led European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to say that technical accession negotiations could be concluded by the end of this year.