President Milatović of Montenegro speaks at St Antony’s College

“Partnership with the EU is more important today than ever, especially in light of geopolitical challenges”

President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović held a lecture at the prestigious University of Oxford, where he discussed with professors and students about Montenegro’s European future.

The President emphasized that “the future of Montenegro and the Western Balkans is in an integrated Europe, based on common values ​​and interests, and emphasized that Montenegro’s membership in the EU is not just a technical process, but an opportunity to improve the quality of life of all our citizens by strengthening the rule of law, building an efficient public administration, achieving economic progress, ensuring equal opportunities for all and establishing zero tolerance for corruption.

“When I took office as President, I set an ambitious but achievable goal – for Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. If you believe in what you are doing and work hard for that goal, it will be achieved,” said President Milatović.

He recalled Montenegro’s strengths and its commitment to European values, the country is fully aligned with the EU’s foreign policy, uses the euro as its currency and is actively implementing reforms in the area of ​​the rule of law.

The President of the country pointed out that Montenegro is in the final phase of negotiations, with a plan to close six chapters in 2025, emphasizing that the only sustainable path is one in which both the EU and the candidates work together on reforms, strengthening democracy and institutions.

“Partnership with the EU is more important today than ever, especially in light of geopolitical challenges. The enlargement of the Union is not only a matter of economic integration, but also of the stability of Europe as a whole,” said President Milatović.

He recalled that the European perspective of the Western Balkans was confirmed at the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003, but that, two decades later, only one country from the region has become a member of the EU.

“That would be a signal to the entire region that the promise from Thessaloniki is still valid and that the European perspective of the Western Balkans is not just declarative, but realistic and achievable. This would be the light at the end of the tunnel for the entire region,” said Milatović.

He expressed his belief that Montenegro can be a role model for other countries in the region and that continued reforms in key areas will allow the EU to recognize and reward its progress.

“I believe that we are at a decisive stage and that by working together we can achieve a winning scenario – in which the candidate implements reforms, and the EU recognizes its readiness and opens the door to membership,” concluded President Milatović.

During his visit to Oxford, President Milatović also had the opportunity to talk to leading academics, students and representatives of the political and academic community about the challenges and opportunities brought by the EU enlargement process, emphasizing that Montenegro’s European future is more than a political goal – it is a generational chance for the stability, development and progress of the entire country.

President Jakov Milatović is the recipient of the prestigious British Chevening Award, which was presented to him for his achievements in the field of politics, as he became the President of Montenegro just ten years after graduating from Oxford University.