Government of Montenegro awarded EWB annual prize for contribution to European integration

Progress achieved by Montenegro's Government inspires the region on the path to the EU

The portal European Western Balkans (EWB) has awarded the 44th Government of Montenegro its annual prize for contributions to European integration.

The Government of Montenegro seized the political momentum of the EU enlargement process and achieved the closing of the first negotiation chapters after seven years. The Government’s dedication to the reform process, supported by Parliament, has enabled Montenegro to obtain the closing benchmarks in the Rule of Law, thereby enhancing its prospects for EU membership in the foreseeable future, EWB noted.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing that the award belongs to the entire society.

For 12 years on Montenegro’s path to the EU, there was more talk than action. We’ve turned the wheel the other way and accustomed the public to seeing results. In the past, nothing was done, and nobody raised their voice. Now that we’re delivering tangible results, the pressure has increased, but we are ready to step up the reform pace, the Prime Minister stated.

Nemanja Todorović Štiplija, Editor-in-Chief of European Western Balkans, remarked that this is the first time the award has been given to a government from the Western Balkans, as no country in the region had previously made significant progress.

He noted that Montenegro, after years of stagnation, has reclaimed its status as the frontrunner in the European integration process over the past two years.

I hope this award will serve as further encouragement for the Government of Montenegro to continue its reforms and meet the necessary membership criteria as soon as possible. I believe Montenegro’s progress on the European path will motivate the rest of the region to move forward, Štiplija said.

For six years, EWB has been awarding individuals and organizations for their contributions to the European integration of the region. The award was established in 2019, with previous recipients including former North Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, former Member of the European Parliament and current Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament Terry Reintke, and European Affairs Ministers Laurence Boone of France and Anna Lührmann of Germany.