Summit a big moment for Montenegro's EU ambitions

The coastal city of Tivat, Montenegro, recently hosted the EU-Western Balkans summit, an event described as a pivotal moment for Montenegro's aspirations to join the European Union. The arrival of politicians, officials, and media was met with a scene of heightened security, including restricted road access and a strong police presence, creating a somewhat surreal atmosphere.

Despite the stringent security, which at times led to logistical difficulties for attendees, the underlying sentiment was one of anticipation for Montenegro's EU integration. The summit aimed to foster progress in the accession process, with Montenegro being a frontrunner among other candidate countries like Albania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

Montenegro has made substantial progress, completing the initial screening across all 35 accession chapters and finalizing 13 sections. This advancement underscores its commitment to meeting the EU's criteria for membership. The summit provided a platform for discussions on accelerating this process, with leaders emphasizing that membership should be based on merit.

Ireland, through its incoming EU presidency, has pledged to assist Montenegro in overcoming the remaining hurdles in its accession homework. Micheál Martin, expressing support, believes Montenegro's accession would send a powerful signal to other Balkan nations that EU membership is attainable. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also indicated that while merit is key, the journey to accession need not be excessively slow, hinting at potential acceleration for deserving candidates.

The event, though marked by security complexities, ultimately highlighted the shared commitment to expanding the EU and integrating Western Balkan nations. The enthusiasm, particularly among young Montenegrins like boat co-skipper Marco, for the opportunities that EU membership could bring, in travel, economy, education, and culture, underscores the significance of this ongoing process.