Minister Radulovic and Dovzan: Enlargement policy among the priorities of the presidency of the Council of the European Union

Montenegro highly appreciates the fact that enlargement policy is among the priorities of Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the European Union. The dream of many generations in Montenegro is to become a member of the EU, and now this dream seems closer, when we know that our Slovenian friends strongly advocate a European perspective - it was assessed today during an online conversation between Foreign Minister Djordje Radulovic and State Secretary at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry Gasper Dovzan.

Minister Radulovic said that Europe is not complete without the Western Balkans, so we are glad that Slovenia would help us on the European path. He added that we are aware that it is necessary to implement reforms at the internal level, and to take the necessary steps in that direction. Recalling the former Slovenian slogan "Europe now", the head of Montenegrin diplomacy assessed that Montenegro lives that motto at this moment.

State Secretary Dovzan emphasized that the focus of their presidency of the EU Council is resilience and public health of the EU, economic recovery, as well as the policy of enlargement to the Western Balkans. He assessed that EU member states and the region showed during the pandemic how important it is to act together, and announced an informal meeting in July to be held on Brdo near Kranj, which will be an additional opportunity to discuss priorities. In that context, he emphasized the importance of the strategic approach, assessing the need for the EU to take concrete steps on the issue of further enlargement.

He added that Montenegro is important for the EU, and that it is important that we continue to harmonize the acquis and move closer to the Union, in which we have the unquestionable support of Slovenia as the current chairman of the EU Council.