As the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa emphasised that Montenegro’s priorities are the judiciary appointments and the acquisition of the final criteria for Chapters 23 and 24.
She said that she expects Montenegro to achieve concrete results on the accession path to the European Union by the end of the Belgian presidency.
“Also, with the new momentum in the enlargement process, we have a new instrument for the Western Balkans, the Growth Plan, which was announced at the end of October by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,” stated Popa during the press conference on the presentation of the priorities of the Belgian presidency of the Council of European Union.
Belgium took over the six-month presidency of the Council of European Union on 1 January 2024.
Popa conveyed that she met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and had a very good discussion regarding Montenegro’s priorities and the country’s accession path towards the Union.
The enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans, as stated by the Ambassador of Belgium in Serbia and Montenegro, Cathy Buggenhout, should have happened a long time ago.
Buggenhout said that the EU has high expectations from Montenegro.
“You are the only country that is in negotiations while having all Chapters opened, so you should see with the European Commission and the European Parliament whether there is a possibility of closing those Chapters,” Bugenhout advised.
Her impression is that Montenegro is open to all suggestions and ready to progress rapidly towards the EU membership. Belgium and the European Union are Montenegro’s partners on that path.
Referring to the current geopolitical situation, she said that Montenegro is an equal partner that fully implements the policies of the European Union and NATO.
“It is not easy to adhere to sanctions (against Russia), but we do it because of our values, to show a stance against the unnecessary aggression,” Bugenhout said.
For more details about the priorities of the Belgian presidency of the EU Council visit this link.
