EU Enlargement: Montenegro Between Hope and Reality
Are you ready for yet another round of endless talks about Montenegro joining the European Union? While a conference on the “Future of EU Enlargement” is being held in the Montenegrin parliament with high-ranking European officials, voices are also heard saying Montenegro is progressing at a snail’s pace, and some even claim that with the current government, the country will never join the EU.
Conference in the Montenegrin Parliament
Tomorrow, a conference on the future of EU enlargement will be held in the Montenegrin Parliament, organized by the parliament in cooperation with the Ministry of European Affairs. It will be opened by the Speaker of Parliament, Andrija Mandić, with speeches from the European Parliament rapporteur for Montenegro Marjan Šarec, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, and Ricardo Seir, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Montenegro. Members of the European Parliament will also participate, highlighting the importance of the topic.
Progress or Stagnation?
While the government celebrates the closing of negotiation chapter 5 on public procurement as proof that Montenegro is decisively moving towards the EU, the opposition and critics say it’s just a facade. The leader of the European Alliance and president of SDP, Ivan Vujović, sharply comments that Montenegro is moving towards the EU at a snail’s pace and that with the current government led by Mandić, EU membership will never happen. He even suggests that Finance Minister Spajić might be begging Mandić for spots on his electoral list in two years, a clear sign of internal political tensions and disagreements.
Support from Brussels and Reality on the Ground
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović emphasizes that Montenegro has strong and unequivocal support from EU member states and that closing chapter 5 is another confirmation of Montenegro’s leading role in the enlargement process. But is that enough to overcome internal political divisions and slow reforms?
Why Is Everything So Slow?
Montenegro has been an EU candidate for years, but progress is often slow and burdened by political conflicts. While Brussels praises concrete results, the domestic scene is marked by power struggles and influence battles, further slowing reforms. Could Montenegro remain forever stuck in this vicious cycle of negotiations and promises?
Conclusion: EU or Political Soap Opera?
As the conference on the future of EU enlargement takes place, Montenegro stands at a crossroads. Will it manage to speed up reforms and join the EU, or will it remain trapped in political games and slow progress? One thing is certain – while politicians bicker, citizens wait for a better tomorrow that seems ever more distant.
If you have your own take on whether Montenegro is truly heading to the EU or if it’s all just a show for the public, drop a comment below. Maybe it’s time to have a little laugh at this endless saga of the European future!
Slug: future-eu-enlargement-montenegro-crossroads-or-vicious-cycle
