German leader Merz sees Montenegro close to joining EU soon

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that Montenegro is on track to join the European Union soon.

Speaking after a Berlin Process summit hosted by Montenegro, Merz stressed that the Western Balkans’ route into the EU must become irreversible. He described enlargement as a geopolitical imperative so the region does not turn into an arena where major powers compete for influence.

“Montenegro is on the best path to join the EU soon. Others must and will follow,” Merz said. He linked the urgency to Russia’s war against Ukraine, noting that only a shared perspective inside the European single market and the institutions of the EU can deliver lasting stability.

Regarding open bilateral issues between EU member Croatia and candidate country Montenegro that still affect two remaining negotiating chapters, Merz said the matters had been discussed at the EU summit in Brussels the previous Thursday. He added that he had also spoken directly with Croatia’s prime minister about the issues.

“I know that there is a very intensive and constructive discussion between Montenegro and Croatia on these two remaining topics,” Merz said. “Montenegro has already taken very concrete decisions in this regard, paving the way forward. I am very confident that the final reservations held by Croatia can be resolved. I do not consider them significant enough to stand in the way of Montenegro’s membership in the EU,” he said adding that this assessment was shared by both prime ministers.

Ayhan Şimşek