At the prestigious 4th Delphi Economic Forum in Brussels, Chief Negotiator Predrag Zenović participated as a panelist in the session “Enlarging the Union: Regaining Momentum”. In addition to Zenović, the panel included Gert-Jan Koopman, Director-General for Enlargement and Neighbourhood at the European Commission; Elisa Spiropali, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania; Nemanja Starović, Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Serbia; Miroslav Lajčák, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic; and Elena Lazarou, Director-General of ELIAMEP from Greece.
This year’s forum brought together leading European and international decision-makers and experts to discuss key challenges in European policy, foreign and security strategy, energy transition, economic growth, and industrial resilience. The program addressed topics such as European foreign policy amid global conflicts, energy security, trade and demographic challenges, and the evolving dynamics of the EU enlargement process.
In his presentation, Chief Negotiator Zenović emphasized that EU enlargement is both a geopolitical and geo-economic necessity, as well as a key instrument for the transformation of the European continent. He stated that Montenegro is entering the final phase of the accession process with the clear goal of being ready for membership by 2028.
“For Montenegro, accession is not merely a technical process – it is a state project that combines ambition with credibility, speed with standards, and politics with the rule of law. Enlargement is not a choice between stability and integration, but a path to stability through integration,” Zenović stated.
He added that enlargement is crucial for strengthening the EU’s geopolitical and geo-economic position, as it contributes to the collective security, stability, and resilience of the continent. He emphasized that merit-based enlargement remains the best way for the European order of peace, progress, and rule of law to transform candidate countries and strengthen trust in a process that rewards results and credible reforms. Zenović also noted that Montenegro is determined to complete the negotiations and prepare for membership by 2028.
The participation of the Chief Negotiator at the forum further confirms Montenegro’s active and recognized role in European debates on the future of the Union, as well as the Montenegrin Government’s commitment to guide the country into the final phase of European integration and make it ready for EU membership by 2028.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS