“Sweden is a strong and long-term supporter of EU enlargement. This could be the beginning of the end of the negotiations for Montenegro,” stated Jessica Rosencrantz, the Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden, at the fourth in a series of BSC Leaders Meetings held in Podgorica on 12th March 2025.

Besides the Swedish Minister for EU affairs, the panel discussion under the title “Montenegro’s European Dream: A Success Story for the Region?” featured prominent speakers, including Todor Goranović, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Montenegro for Security and Defence; Vanja Ćalović, Executive Director of MANS; and Nikola Dimitrov, President and Co-Founder of Solucija, who also served as the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. The discussion was moderated by Igor Bandović, Director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.

During his opening remarks, Igor Bandović emphasised the critical role of the Western Balkans in Europe’s security landscape. He stated, “As Europe faces growing instability and geopolitical challenges, the Western Balkans remain a key test for the continent’s security and democratic resilience.” Bandović acknowledged Montenegro’s European integration as a notable success but cautioned that ongoing political and security issues necessitate renewed commitment from both regional leaders and the European Union. He highlighted the urgent need for democratic reforms, enhanced regional cooperation, and a clear EU commitment to stability in the region. “Our role is to foster dialogue, provide expertise, and advocate for policies that ensure lasting stability in the Balkans,” he concluded, underscoring BCSP’s dedication to supporting these objectives through informed advocacy and collaboration.

Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, emphasised her country’s unwavering support for EU enlargement. She noted that the current security landscape has invigorated the EU accession process, stating, “Sweden is a strong and long-term supporter of EU enlargement. The current security environment has brought new momentum to the EU process, and by keeping up the pace on the necessary reform work, Montenegro is not only inspiring other candidate countries to follow, but also contributing to the security and stability on our entire continent.” Rosencrantz highlighted that this momentum could signify a pivotal moment in Montenegro’s negotiations, suggesting that it might be “the beginning of the end of the negotiations for Montenegro.” Her remarks underline Sweden’s commitment to fostering stability and cooperation within Europe through the enlargement process.

The discussion focused on several critical themes, such as opportunities and challenges Montenegro faces on its path to EU membership, remaining hurdles to conclude accession negotiations by 2028 and lessons other Western Balkan nations can learn from Montenegro’s progress.

Todor Goranović, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Montenegro for Security and Defence, highlighted Montenegro’s progress in its EU integration process, describing it as a source of encouragement for the country, but also for the Western Balkans. He pointed out that the recent closure of negotiation chapters, after years of delay, represents a positive step forward. Goranović also emphasised Montenegro’s role as an example for the region, particularly in supporting Ukraine and advancing NATO accession efforts. “We strive to be a credible partner,” he stated.

Executive Director of MANS, Vanja Ćalović, expressed concerns regarding Montenegro’s EU accession process, stating that “substantial reforms are now being sacrificed for larger geopolitical needs,” with politicians doing only the bare minimum to maintain a facade of progress, as “everyone needs a success story.” She emphasised that the discussions around the EU’s incentives have lost their effectiveness, noting that “Montenegro is only required to meet minimal conditions for EU integration,” which she believes is a consequence of the ongoing Ukrainian war. This situation has led to a decline in standards, with politicians in the Balkans aware that they can evade accountability amidst current geopolitical dynamics. Ćalović highlighted Montenegro’s significant issues with corruption and organised crime, underscoring the urgent need for EU assistance to advance necessary rule of law reforms.

Nikola Dimitrov, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, underscored the urgent need for geopolitical progress in Europe, particularly considering the ongoing challenges related to EU enlargement. He noted that bilateral disputes often obstruct this progress, which has shifted public focus from enhancing the rule of law to constitutional amendments following the Prespa Agreement. Dimitrov emphasised the necessity of protecting the EU integration process, describing it as a significant challenge for the bloc. He pointed out that the region requires a success story, highlighting Montenegro’s potential as a candidate likely to achieve EU membership by 2028. However, he stressed that this goal must involve genuine collaboration with civil society organisations to ensure effective reforms are implemented rather than being treated as a mere formality.

Discussions also touched on whether the EU itself would be ready to welcome new members by 2028-2030. With 2025 expected to be a decisive year for EU enlargement policy, participants expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for further integration of Western Balkan countries into the EU.

Organised by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) in partnership with the Balkan Center for Constructive Policies – Solution (North Macedonia) and the Embassy of Sweden, this event brought together key figures in the discussion on Montenegro’s EU aspirations.

The BSC Leaders Meetings events, with the distinguished panel of international and domestic speakers, are planned to continue in the coming months in other capitals of the Western Balkans.

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On Wednesday, April 12, the first in a series of BSC Leaders Meetings was held in Podgorica, under the title “Montenegro after the presidential elections: Fast forward towards the EU?”, organised by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy and the Institute Alternative. 

Jakov Milatović, President-elect of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, Prime Minister of Montenegro, Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, Milena Muk, researcher at the Institute Alternative, dr. Srđan Cvijić, president of the International Advisory Committee of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy and Igor Bandović, director of the Belgrade Center for Security Policy, took part in the public panel discussion. 

Igor Bandović, who opened the BSC Leaders Meetings event, expressed in the opening remarks his great pleasure to organise the first event of this kind in Podgorica. “The Belgrade Security Conference aims to be a window to the world for the entire region of the Western Balkans and a promoter of positive changes in the Balkans. Relying on the experience of our partners from Munich, we decided to organise Leaders Meetings events throughout the countries of the Western Balkans and thus initiate the creation of a new political culture, a new style of debates and new content to promote.”  

The main topics of the panel discussion, organised in the aftermath of the presidential elections, were the possible scenarios of Montenegro’s accession to the European Union, the main obstacles and opportunities, as well as the EU’s political capacity to receive new members and Montenegro’s ability to reform. 

On that occasion, the newly elected President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, said that the new generation of politicians is a symbol of changes in the country and that the main priorities of Montenegro should be the fight against state capture and economic stability. “Regional economic integration is the basis of European integration. The success of one Western Balkan country is the success of all six of them,” Milatović pointed out. 

At the first BSC Leaders Meetings event, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, said that for Montenegro, there is no other choice but EU integration. “By joining the EU, Montenegro will fulfill its national interests, which is the reason why it will remain committed to the process of European integration.” Referring to the war in Ukraine, Abazović said: “Considering the size, population and capacities of Montenegro, support for Ukraine is more than significant, and citizens of Ukraine feel safe in Montenegro.” 

Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, pointed out that the enlargement process has become more complex. “Nothing is promised from Brussels, but the Balkans are not forgotten.” The importance of the rule of law, civil society and political leaders who send strong messages at home are considered crucial to the process of European integration.” 

On behalf of the Institute Alternative, Milena Muk stated that the previous Montenegrin governments did not meet high expectations and did not achieve sufficient progress in reforms. “Montenegro currently does not have a single institution at full capacity, but in the so-called acting condition. Responding to Srđan Cvijić’s question about the main priorities of the future government, Milena Muk highlighted the reforms and the fulfillment of temporary criteria within Chapter 23. – “I think it is positive that the European Union has become more clear and more direct in conditioning key reforms in the country, and it should persist in that approach. We see that individual islands of integrity are being created, primarily in the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, and it is up to us to demand multiplying of these islands.” 

The BSC Leaders Meetings events, with the distinguished panel of international and domestic speakers, are planned to continue in the coming months in other capitals of the Western Balkans. 

The post The new generation of politicians – a symbol of change in the country  appeared first on BELGRADE SECURITY CONFERENCE 2024.