Montenegro’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović stated that Montenegro could complete EU accession negotiations as early as next year, emphasizing that this depends on domestic efforts and political consensus. His Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlić Radman, stressed that it is more important to focus on reforms and resolving bilateral issues before accession, rather than speculating about dates. Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor expressed optimism, saying he would be surprised if Montenegro is not an EU member by 2028. These conclusions came from the panel “EU Membership: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges to the Union,” during the second day of the 2BS Forum.
Minister Ibrahimović highlighted that Montenegro’s EU membership is an unstoppable process and that completing negotiations next year depends entirely on Montenegro’s own efforts and consensus. He emphasized that internal factors are the main obstacles, and those who want to see Montenegro in the EU must join the “train” toward the EU, while those opposed to European values will disqualify themselves.
Ibrahimović expressed confidence shared by international partners, recognizing Montenegro’s progress and the commitment within the government toward EU integration.
Gordan Grlić-Radman, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, stated that Croatia is a close ally and neighbor of Montenegro, emphasizing that good neighborly relations require mutual effort. He said accession depends on Montenegro’s political elite and their pro-European orientation, highlighting the benefits Croatia gained from EU membership such as strengthened institutions and financial stability. Grlić Radman cautioned against speculating on accession dates, calling it unproductive, and pointed out that unresolved bilateral issues still burden the Balkans and weaken institutions. He stressed the importance of strengthening institutions, NGOs, and media freedom to counter such challenges.
On bilateral disputes, Grlić Radman described disagreements among states as human but stressed the importance of resolving “small stones in the shoe” before EU accession rather than inside the EU. He cited historical remembrance efforts, such as commemorating the Morinj camp anniversary, as examples of cultivating a culture of memory and reconciliation.
Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor expressed optimism about Montenegro’s EU accession by 2028, citing political changes in Brussels and Montenegro’s readiness. He warned that the “Serbian world” politics and Russian influence pose risks to the region, questioning the long delay in the Balkan accession process compared to Ukraine.
On bilateral issues, Radman emphasized open dialogue and adherence to universal values and the rule of law, highlighting that issues like compensation for camp detainees and missing persons go beyond bilateral disputes. He stressed the importance of political will in confronting the past and questioned whether the EU wants mere expansion or countries that share EU values.
Regarding the Croatian-owned ship Jadran, which is currently in Montenegro for repairs, Grlić-Radman said the matter would be resolved independently of accession, emphasizing shared cultural ties and ongoing negotiations about compensation and property issues. He also noted the significance of Chapter 31, which reflects regional stability and good neighborly relations, praising Ibrahimović’s efforts while stressing the need for political leadership to support Montenegro’s EU membership.
When asked about resolving the Jadran issue, Ibrahimović confirmed positive progress and recalled how difficult issues like the Srebrenica resolution were once considered impossible to resolve. He noted that more than half of the open bilateral issues with Croatia are close to resolution, highlighting the cooperation between the two foreign ministers despite disagreements over the ship’s ownership.