The joint message from the regional leaders’ meeting under the Brdo-Brioni process is that “the European Union is incomplete without the Western Balkans,” according to a statement from the Montenegrin presidency, which organized the meeting on Tuesday in the coastal city of Tivat, Montenegro.
After the closed plenary session, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, the host of the meeting, stated that the long-term stability of the region also implies good neighborly relations.
“With the shaken global order and increasing global instability, the leaders of the Western Balkans are aware of the political moment and the new window in the EU regarding enlargement. We are ready to use this opportunity even more powerfully,” said President Milatović.
He pledged that Montenegro “is and will always be a country committed to good neighborly relations and regional stability and expects Montenegro’s progress toward the EU to be an incentive for other countries.”
Croatian President Zoran Milanović emphasized that the value of the Brdo-Brioni process lies in the fact that “countries, some of which do not recognize each other, communicate in these meetings.”
President Milanović highlighted that it is the duty of Croatia and Slovenia, both EU member states, to encourage the Western Balkan countries not to waver on the path to EU membership.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani stated that “Kosovo remains committed to regional cooperation based on good neighborliness, inclusiveness, and a common goal of integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.”
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar mentioned that “Montenegro has shown the greatest progress and has the best prospects for rapid EU membership.” She also announced that Slovenia proposes that decisions on closing chapters be made by a qualified majority rather than unanimously.
Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized that the countries in the region have two paths: “One is to treat each other as EU countries do, and the other is to accept Russia’s stance towards its neighbors, which leads to disaster and tragedy. I believe our European path has no alternative.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić did not attend the plenary part of the meeting but later joined the participants. In a press conference, he focused on Serbian-Montenegrin relations, reiterating accusations against Montenegro regarding recognition of Kosovo. He also stated that daily accusations are made against him and Serbia regarding interference in elections in Montenegro.
“We will never harm Montenegro, but we will not allow anyone to dominate Serbia. Serbia has done nothing against Montenegro, neither strategically nor tactically,” said President Vučić.
The Brdo-Brioni process is a Slovenian-Croatian initiative launched in 2010, aimed at assisting the Western Balkan countries on their path to the European Union.
