The process of European integration is not merely about meeting technical criteria; it entails a fundamental transformation of institutions, political culture, and society one in which accountability and the rule of law become part of everyday practice, was one of the key messages from the European Café organized by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE).
The event was opened by Zvezdana Kovač, Strategy and Outreach Director at the CCE, and today’s guest was Dimitrios Gioldassis, Ambassador of Greece to Montenegro.
Kovač pointed out that Greece’s experience clearly shows that the path to the European Union is neither straightforward nor easy. “Challenges, crises, reforms, and serious political debates both before and during EU membership have contributed to the country’s long-term stability and created much broader opportunities for its citizens, from infrastructure and development to freedom of movement, study, and work across Europe,” she emphasized.
Ambassador Dimitrios Joldasis agreed, recalling that the EU played a key role in overcoming the crisis that culminated in Greece in 2015.
“I have said many times that I cannot imagine Greece without the EU. I have lived most of my life as an EU citizen, and the Union has benefited us on many levels. The majority of people in Greece are pro-EU, and we have left behind a crisis that was not only financial but also a societal one,” said Joldasis.
The Ambassador also spoke about the importance of political stability. “For every country, political stability is perhaps the most important thing. We demonstrated during the crisis in Greece when there was no political stability that it represents a major problem directly affecting the economy itself. In Montenegro, the situation is specific; you have a Government made up of quite heterogeneous parties, and it is important for those parties to remain united and to put the national interest first while setting differences aside,” he underlined.
“In Montenegro, there is currently a strong focus on the economic benefits of EU membership, while citizens often fail to grasp the importance of adopting and applying the core values on which the EU is founded. That is why events like this one are significant, especially for young people, who as future leaders need to understand both the advantages and responsibilities of membership,” said Tamara Andrić, one of the participants of the European Café.
A similar view was shared by Nađa Popović, who noted that “the European Café is important given Montenegro’s current situation and its aspirations to become an EU member, as it helps citizens become familiar with the fundamental principles of the Union.”
Participant Milica Mrvaljević highlighted the importance of the opportunities such events provide for young people to engage with diplomats. “These events help us better understand foreign policy processes and the values of democracy in other countries. They give us a chance to compare those values with the ones we nurture in our own society,” she said.
The European Café was organized as part of the project EU Compass for Youth, implemented by the CCE with the support of the Ministry of European Affairs, with the goal of bringing the EU decision making process closer to young people.
Jovana Radulović, Programme Assistant