Dejan Jović discusses EU enlargement and Montenegro's path

Dejan Jović, a professor of international relations at the University of Zagreb, has commented on the European Union's enlargement process and Montenegro's path toward membership. Jović argued that the purpose of EU expansion should be to solve regional problems rather than to block or humiliate neighboring states.

Regarding Montenegro, Jović stated that the change in government demonstrated the country's stability is not dependent on a single leader or party, which has accelerated its EU progress. He noted that previous fears regarding Montenegro's potential shift toward Russia, its potential exit from NATO, or its reversal of Kosovo's independence were unfounded, as the country has remained on a European path and distanced itself from Russia and Serbia.

Addressing the reform process and unsolved domestic scandals, Jović suggested that expecting candidate countries to be perfect is an illusion, noting that many nations have entered the EU despite incomplete reforms. He criticized certain requirements for membership as possessing a form of "hidden imperialism" or "orientalism" that demands Balkan nations change their historical identities to match Western Europe.