[Interview] ‘It’s now or never’ for enlargement, Montenegro’s former EU ambassador warns

Bojan Šarkić, a former Montenegrin ambassador to the EU, warns that blocking Montenegro's EU accession in 2028 could jeopardize Western Balkans enlargement and create instability. He emphasizes that failure to progress would send a negative message to the region, reinforcing euroscepticism and allowing for increased Russian influence. As the EU prepares to assess candidate countries, Šarkić reflects on the historical context of EU enlargement, noting that geopolitical shifts, particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have heightened the urgency for stability in the Balkans. He recalls a time when EU officials were skeptical about Montenegro's membership prospects, while Russia actively sought to expand its influence.