Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević participated in the first informal meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) during the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU in Copenhagen.
Minister Gorčević stated that Montenegro’s goal is to close several more chapters by the end of the year, during the Danish Presidency.
“We expect a substantive confirmation of our progress, and the start of the drafting of the Accession Treaty for Montenegro to the European Union would give our European path a boost and signal the credibility of the enlargement policy,” Gorčević pointed out.
She also spoke about the significance of previous Danish presidencies of the Council of the European Union, recalling that the Copenhagen criteria shaped the idea of the EU as a union of values, where individual freedoms, human rights, and responsible economic management are placed above short-term interests.
The Minister also expressed her belief that Denmark’s third presidency, by the end of this year, will be equally important for the enlargement policy. “Under Danish leadership, this moment could become a turning point in the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family,” adding that this would ensure the vision born in Copenhagen more than three decades ago continues to inspire transformation and unity across our continent.
Speaking about the successes on Montenegro’s European path, she emphasized that after the formation of the current government, there was a decisive turnaround in negotiations with the EU. “One year after the first historic IBAR, Montenegro is in a new phase of accession, has overcome a multi-year stagnation, and is now progressing with renewed energy, determined to finish negotiations by 2026 and become a member by 2028,” Gorčević concluded.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS