Abazović takes part in Ministerial Meeting on the Western Balkans in Rome

Prime Minister and Coordinator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dritan Abazović participated in the Ministerial Meeting on the Western Balkans in Rome. The meeting was chaired by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, and attended by EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, and Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström.

PM Abazović noted that the political processes in Montenegro show the maturity of democracy and that we are approaching the main goal - membership in the EU.

During his speech at the sessions “European integration process of Western Balkans: the way forward” and “EU-Western Balkans: enhancing together our cooperation”, the Prime Minister stressed the need for stronger action in addressing reforms in the field of rule of law, fundamental rights and good governance as a necessity in the fight against organised crime and corruption. It is encouraging that the EU accession process relies on the merits and objective progress of each of the candidate countries, Abazović stressed.

The Prime Minister also referred to the ongoing geopolitical developments that are shaping the international stage, and recalled that the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine led to the applications for EU membership by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Furthermore, he said that "enlargement fatigue" is no longer present because it has become clear that the policy of enlargement is a geostrategic investment in a stable and strong Europe, based on democratic values.

Speaking at the second session, on the topic of EU-Western Balkans relations, i.e. creating a model for joint strengthening of cooperation, Prime Minister Abazović recalled the importance of the Berlin Process Summit, held in Berlin last year, which resulted in three regional mobility agreements. As he said, "this was a special signal of the renewed commitment of the Western Balkans to European integration, and the establishment of the Common Regional Market through these agreements is the basis for the future integration of the region into the EU Single Market". He stressed that the ratification of these agreements is expected at the Parliament session, which will begin tomorrow, 4 April.

The Prime Minister also met Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who emphasised the exceptional cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was an opportunity to present Montenegro's results in its EU integration process, but also to consider the future steps that are necessary on its European path.