Ibrahimović: A safer and more European Western Balkans means a stronger Europe

“A safer, more prosperous and more European Western Balkans means a stronger Europe as a whole, and Montenegro is ready to continue the dedicated work with all of you to achieve this goal,” Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović declared today at the opening of the plenary session of the Berlin Process Ministerial Meeting, held in Pržno, Budva, as Vijesti reports.

The meeting, chaired by Ibrahimović, was attended by the foreign ministers and heads of delegations of the Western Balkan countries, high representatives of EU member states, among them Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, as well as European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

Opening the plenary session, Ibrahimović emphasized the importance of the moment the region is in, underlining that the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans directly affect overall European security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. He added that Montenegro, as the frontrunner of the negotiation process, remains fully focused on implementing key reforms, with the clear aim of becoming a full member of the European Union by 2028.

During the working sessions, the participants exchanged views on further strengthening regional economic cooperation, the functioning of the Common Regional Market, and concrete steps to accelerate the region’s integration into the EU single market. In this context, Commissioner Kos and Minister Wadephul welcomed Montenegro’s progress and confirmed the strong support of the European Union and its member states for the European perspective of the entire Western Balkans.

Special focus was placed on the importance of the Berlin Process as a key mechanism for adopting European standards, improving infrastructure, transport and energy connectivity, and creating better opportunities for the region’s youth. The meeting closed with the adoption of joint messages and conclusions, which confirm the undisputed European future of the Western Balkans and the readiness of all partners to continue intensive work toward common goals, Vijesti reports.