Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s place is in the European Union (EU), said President of the European Parliament (EP) Roberta Metsola, emphasizing that membership will bring greater security, strength, justice and prosperity to both Montenegro and Europe.

 

She addressed on Thursday members of the Parliament of Montenegro, stating that the future of Europe and the countries of the Western Balkans must be shared and that the moment for enlargement must not be missed.

 

“I want to be unequivocal – Montenegro’s place is within the EU. We will all be safer, stronger, fairer and more prosperous”, Metsola said.

 

She assessed that the circumstances in Europe have changed significantly due to the war in Ukraine and the complex geopolitical landscape, which is why the enlargement policy has once again become one of the EU’s key priorities.

 

“We have an opportunity to change the face of Europe and we must seize the momentum”, said the President of the European Parliament.

 

Speaking about Montenegro’s negotiation process, Metsola emphasized that “the end is in sight”, recalling that almost half of the negotiation chapters have already been closed and that work on the Accession Treaty has already started.

 

“We have already started working on the Accession Treaty, which is a decisive and powerful sign of progress”, she stated.

 

Metsola said that enlargement is a two-way street, that benefit both the candidate countries, but also the EU itself.

 

She emphasized that the EP remains a strong partner of Montenegro throughout the entire process of integration.

 

Metsola said that she hopes that her next visit to Montenegro will be on the occasion of marking the country’s joining the EU.

 

Montenegro’s Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandic said that Metsola’s visit is a confirmation of strong support for Montenegro’s European perspective and a recognition of the efforts the country is investing to become the next EU member.

 

He stated that it is particularly significant that, in addition to the bilateral meeting, a meeting of the Speaker’s Collegium with representatives of parliamentary clubs was held.

 

“I am certain that we have thus sent an important and strong message that all parliamentary actors in Montenegro are fully committed to the EU integration process and that both the parliamentary majority and the opposition can cooperate, overcome political differences and work together in the interest of all citizens of Montenegro”, said Mandic.