Montenegro President Jakov Milatovic announced that his country is aiming to join the European Union (EU) as its 28th member by 2028.In an interview with Euronews, he said that since the war in Ukraine, EU understood that the enlargement policy is also about the security of the European continent.Milatovic, who was elected president in May, seeks to strike a balance between deepening Montenegro's partnership with the EU and strengthening relations with Serbia, despite the disagreements between the two countries on issues such as the recognition of Kosovo.He acknowledged that the path to EU membership is filled with challenges, explaining, ‘if there were no challenges, we would already be part of the EU.’ These challenges include judicial system, guaranteed freedom of expression and effective safeguards against corruption. He emphasized that these reforms are not just conditions for membership but are also national necessities that Montenegro is striving to achieve.Milatovic pointed out that achieving these goals would improve the daily lives of citizens, stating that the most important aspect of receiving EU support is ensuring the sustainability of internal reforms.He also expressed optimism about the current momentum in Brussels and the capitals of EU member states regarding European expansion.
