European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos delivered opening remarks ahead of the Berlin Process summit in Montenegro, addressing regional leaders and the media about what she described as “decisive moments” facing Western Balkan countries on their path toward European Union membership.
Kos singled out Montenegro as a country determined to become an EU member. Regarding Kosovo, she stressed the need to act in accordance with international law and the rule of law.
Her remarks came after the European Union criticized Kosovo following the adoption of amendments to the Law on Specialist Chambers. In a statement, the EU said the approved amendments were “contrary to Kosovo’s international obligations towards the EU.”
“We have decisive weeks and months ahead of us. For Montenegro, the decisive moment will be crossing the finish line of the accession process. For Serbia, the decisive moment is the election next Sunday. For Albania, the decisive moment is maintaining momentum on the path towards Europe. And, of course, for Kosovo, a decisive choice is to continue acting in accordance with international law and the rule of law,” Kos said.
She concluded by welcoming the gathering of leaders from across the region and the wider Berlin Process in what she described as “this beautiful place.”
