In this contribution, Danijel Karađinović, MA in European Politics and Society (Podgorica, Montenegro), reflects on Montenegro’s European future, exploring the opportunities, responsibilities and challenges of EU integration from a young generation’s perspective.
Importance of EU integration
For my generation, European integration is no longer simply a foreign policy objective. It is a question of what kind of future we want to live in. We are growing up in a world shaped by geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, disinformation, and increasing political fragmentation. At a time when even the largest states struggle to face global challenges alone, I believe the answer cannot be less Europe, but more Europe. Only through cooperation, solidarity, and deeper integration can European countries remain secure, competitive, and capable of protecting the democratic values on which they are built.
This is precisely why I see Montenegro’s future exclusively within the European Union. I genuinely believe there is no credible alternative. For Montenegrins, European integration represents far more than membership in an international organization. It means stronger democratic institutions, an independent judiciary, greater economic and social security, and opportunities that a small country could hardly create on its own. My hope is that, in the next decade or two, Montenegro will become a modern European democracy where institutions are stronger than individuals, where the law applies equally to everyone, and where young people feel they can build their future without having to leave their country behind.
Future of Montenegro as MS
At the same time, I think it is important to remain realistic. EU membership is not a magic solution that will erase decades of political polarization, weak institutions, brain drain, or the spread of disinformation overnight. Accession is the beginning of a much longer process rather than its conclusion. The responsibility to reform Montenegro will always remain primarily ours. Yet the European Union provides the framework, the expertise, and the partnership that make those reforms possible. With the support and experience of the other Member States, Montenegro will have the best opportunity to become a stronger, more resilient modern democratic country.
Of course, European integration also brings challenges. Previous enlargements have shown that freedom of movement often encourages young people to seek opportunities abroad. Montenegro should expect this as well. However, I see this not as a reason to question accession, but as a reminder that our work does not end when membership begins. Our political leaders must already be creating conditions that will encourage talented young people to return by investing in quality jobs, competitive salaries, and strong public institutions, particularly in sectors facing severe shortages such as healthcare and the judiciary.
When I think about the Europe my generation should build, I imagine a politically stronger and more integrated Union that speaks with confidence, protects its democratic values, and offers every European country, regardless of its size, an equal place around the table. I hope that one day I will be able to tell future generations: “we moved Europe forward; now it is your turn to continue.” I believe young people in Montenegro are ready for that responsibility. We do not simply want to join the European Union. We want to help shape its future alongside our peers across the continent, building a Europe that is stronger, more united, and better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.