The Government of Montenegro has been awarded the prestigious European Western Balkans (EWB) Annual Prize for its significant contributions to the European integration process. This recognition marks a pivotal moment for Montenegro, highlighting its recent achievements in closing negotiation chapters with the European Union after a prolonged period of stagnation.
Key Takeaways
- Montenegro’s government received the EWB Annual Prize for its contributions to European integration.
- The award recognizes the closing of the first negotiation chapters after seven years.
- Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasized the award’s significance for the entire society.
- The EWB award is a first for a government in the Western Balkans, reflecting Montenegro’s renewed status as a frontrunner in EU integration.
Award Significance
The EWB Annual Prize is awarded to individuals and organizations that have made notable contributions to the European integration of the Western Balkans. This year, the award was presented to the 44th Government of Montenegro, which has demonstrated a commitment to reform and progress in the EU accession process. The award was given in recognition of the government’s ability to seize the political momentum surrounding EU enlargement, achieving the closing of the first negotiation chapters after a seven-year hiatus.
Prime Minister’s Remarks
Upon receiving the award, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić expressed his gratitude, stating that this recognition belongs to the entire Montenegrin society. He reflected on the past 12 years of Montenegro’s EU journey, noting that there had been more discussions than tangible actions.
"We have turned the wheel in the opposite direction and accustomed the public to results. In the past, nothing was being done, and no one was being heard. Now that we are delivering concrete results, the pressure is increasing, but we are ready to accelerate the pace of reforms," Spajić stated.
Regional Impact
Nemanja Todorović Štiplija, the Editor-in-Chief of the European Western Balkans portal, highlighted that this is the first time the award has been given to a government from the Western Balkans. He noted that Montenegro has reclaimed its status as a frontrunner in the region’s European integration process after a period of stagnation.
"I hope this award will serve as an additional incentive for the Government of Montenegro to continue the initiated reforms and fulfill the necessary membership criteria as soon as possible. I believe Montenegro’s progress on the European path will motivate the rest of the region to move forward," Štiplija remarked.
Historical Context
The EWB Annual Prize was established in 2019 to honor individuals and organizations for their contributions to the European integration of the region. Previous recipients include notable figures such as former North Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and current Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon. This year’s award to Montenegro signifies a hopeful shift in the region’s approach to EU integration, encouraging other nations to follow suit in their reform efforts.
As Montenegro continues on its path toward EU membership, the recognition from the EWB serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a call to action for future reforms, reinforcing the importance of commitment to the European integration process.
Sources
- Government of Montenegro recepient of the annual EWB Award – European Western Balkans, European Western Balkans.
- Government of Montenegro awarded EWB annual prize for contribution to European integration, Vlada Crne Gore – GOV.ME.
