Gorčević in Salzburg: Success of Montenegro important for EU enlargement credibility

In discussions with representatives of institutions, the expert community, and civil society, the future of enlargement policy, current momentum in the accession process, the European Union's capacity to admit new members, as well as political, economic, and security challenges associated with this process were discussed. The minister stated that debates on enlargement often focus on what candidate countries gain from membership, while it is equally important to discuss what new members bring to the European Union. "Montenegro brings a country that has made a clear strategic choice – a NATO member, fully aligned with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, and a country that has chosen to be with Europe for years, even when such decisions had economic or political costs," said Gorčević. For the EU, this would be proof of the credibility of one of its most important policies, and for the Western Balkans countries, confirmation that the European path has a clear goal and that reforms truly lead to membership," Gorčević added. On the sidelines of the Salzburg Europe Summit, Minister Gorčević met with Salzburg Governor Karoline Edtstadler and State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Károly Breuer. The interlocutors discussed the final phase of Montenegro's accession process, the importance of support from member states for Montenegro's further progress, and the need for enlargement policy to remain high on the European political agenda.