The Final Stage of the European Journey Requires Unity Between Government, Opposition and Society
Reception Held to Mark Europe Day
The Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro hosted a reception marking Europe Day at the “Špiro Mugoša” sports airport in Podgorica. The event was attended by the country’s highest-ranking officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, state and local institutions, the media, civil society and the academic community.
“Montenegro, as an old European country, is not ‘joining’ Europe, nor are we ‘bringing’ Europe here. It would be more accurate to say that our mission here is to organise a kind of family gathering – to help Montenegro return home and take its rightful place within the European family,” said the host of the reception, the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler.
Speaking about Montenegro’s European path, Ambassador Sattler assessed that the country had made significant progress by closing 14 negotiating chapters and stressed that the accession process had now entered a crucial phase.
He particularly emphasised that the final stage of European integration requires broad social and political consensus. “The concluding phase of this process requires national unity on important issues, and everyone must do their part,” Sattler stated.
The EU Ambassador called on the government to make additional efforts to build compromise and cooperation with the opposition, while also urging the opposition to continue actively supporting the European integration process. “This means that the ruling majority should make an additional effort and extend a hand to the other side of the political spectrum in the search for compromise and broad cross-party support. It also means that the opposition — which by definition is critical — should be prepared to accept the outstretched hand and invest in its own political legacy. Those who initiated this European integration path must not be excluded, nor should they exclude themselves,” Sattler said.
He also highlighted the key role of citizens, civil society and the media in the process of European integration. “European reforms can never realise their full potential without the active participation of citizens, civil society and the media. Their crucial contribution to Montenegro’s European path throughout all these years has earned them the position of a reliable voice and an important guide on this European journey,” Sattler said.
The EU Ambassador also referred to projects implemented by the European Union in Montenegro, particularly in transport infrastructure and environmental protection, including the “Čuvaj da te čuva” campaign, the modernisation of the transport network, and investments in wastewater treatment projects.
The reception opened with performances of the European Union anthem and the Montenegrin national anthems by opera star Olivera Tičević, accompanied by the ensemble “Tree Cellos”. During the rendition of the anthems, parachutists from the “Špiro Mugoša” Aero Club descended from a helicopter carrying the flags of the European Union and Montenegro, symbolically affirming the partnership and shared European future.
Performances of the children’s choir “Ljute Kamilice” and the “Đenović” local orchestra were also part of the programme. The event was organised with the support of the “Špiro Mugoša” Aero Club, and the programme was dedicated to connectivity, partnership and Montenegro’s European perspective.