Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević participated in the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, which brings together high-level officials, experts, and leaders from Europe and around the world to discuss key geopolitical, security, and economic challenges.
During the Forum, Minister Gorčević took part in two panels, where she presented Montenegro’s positions in the context of European integration, institutional reforms, and economic cooperation.
At the panel titled “Simplify, Safeguard, Strengthen: The EU Way Forward,” she spoke about the need to modernize decision-making within the EU, strengthen democratic resilience, and enlargement as a key factor for security on the continent. The panel brought together ministers of European affairs from the Czech Republic and Denmark, government officials from Poland, as well as representatives from business and civil society.
In response to the question of who is the next member of the European Union, Gorčević emphasized that it is Montenegro, “primarily due to the fulfillment of criteria and the progress achieved in the negotiation process.”
Speaking about differing views and disagreements among member states in interpreting the progress of individual candidates, the Minister of European Affairs stressed that accession must be merit-based and that the bilateralization of the process helps no one.
“The announcements from the non-papers of Slovenia and Germany can be a good direction for further shaping the enlargement process, but Montenegro wants unanimity of all 27 member states regarding the recognition of its achievements,” said Gorčević.
On the second day of the Forum, the Minister participated in a special session titled “Across Borders: Advancing European Economic Integration of the Balkans,” where concrete steps were discussed for strengthening the economic dimension of the accession process – including alignment with EU single market rules, liberalization of capital flows, combating money laundering, and improving the investment environment in the region. Panel participants included representatives of candidate countries and EU member states, as well as renowned experts and parliamentarians.
Gorčević stated that regional cooperation and strengthening mutual connectivity are key to unlocking the full potential of the Western Balkans. Initiatives such as the Growth Plan for the region offer a historic opportunity to accelerate economic integration into the European Union, improve infrastructural connectivity, and attract sustainable investments that bring tangible benefits to citizens.
“Cooperation among the countries of the region must not be an exception, but become the rule – because only through a joint, coordinated approach can we build a competitive, stable, and European future for the entire region,” said Gorčević.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Gorčević held a number of bilateral meetings, including with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković, Minister of European Affairs of Serbia Nemanja Starović, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Georgi Georgiev, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania Ana Cristina Tinca. She also held talks with representatives of the media and international organizations.
In conversations with officials from Bulgaria and Romania, Gorčević received confirmation that Montenegro can expect the support of these countries in the final phase of accession negotiations. During meetings with Ministers Konaković and Starović, she exchanged views on key issues of the accession process, regional cooperation, and the shared European future of the countries in the region.
Through her participation in the GLOBSEC Forum, Minister Gorčević once again confirmed Montenegro’s strong commitment to a European future and its active role in regional and European cooperation.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS