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The European Council president praises Montenegro's advance on the path to joining the EU

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The European Council president praises Montenegro's advance on the path to joining the EU
News

News

The European Council president praises Montenegro's advance on the path to joining the EU

2025-05-15 01:35 Last Updated At:01:42

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — European Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday praised Montenegro for its progress on the path toward membership in the European Union, describing the small Balkan country as “one of the finest examples of the EU’s positive enlargement momentum.”

Costa spoke after meeting Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a tour of all six Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the 27-nation bloc.

Milatovic said Montenegro wishes to become the 28th member state by 2028, and pledged to keep up the pace of reforms.

“Our country is proud to have the status of a front-runner in European integration,” he said.

Montenegro and Albania have been at the forefront on the membership path while Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo and North Macedonia are lagging.

The EU’s willingness to accept new members has grown since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, amid fears that the conflict could fuel instability in the Balkans.

Costa said the “enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment in the stability, peace and prosperity in the Western Balkans, and the whole of Europe."

Montenegro is the smallest of the Western Balkan countries with just over 600,000 people. It has been a NATO member since 2013 when it defied Russia, its traditional ally, to join the Western military alliance.

Costa also visited Kosovo to urge top local officials to make “real and tangible progress” in the the dialogue to normalize ties with Serbia.

“This will come to the benefit of your European path and ultimately the lives of Kosovo’s people," he said at a news conference with President Vjosa Osmani.

The EU and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements reached two years ago that include Serbia’s obligation to provide de facto recognition of Kosovo and a commitment by Kosovo to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Most Western nations recognize its sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China don’t.

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana stole Game 1. Oklahoma City bounced back in Game 2. Indiana showed its resiliency in Game 3.

And now, it's Game 4 on Friday night — where either the Pacers will move one win from a title, or the Thunder will turn this NBA Finals into a best-of-three to decide which team will hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy sometime in the next few days.

Indiana leads the best-of-seven 2-1. The Thunder changed their lineup for Friday, putting Isaiah Hartenstein back in the opening five and having Cason Wallace come off the bench.

Wallace started the first three games of the finals.

For whatever reason, the Game 4 winner tends to end up winning the finals: It has worked out that way in 15 of the last 19 seasons, though it certainly wasn't the case last year when Dallas beat Boston by 38 points for its lone victory in that matchup.

Oklahoma City has the two leading scorers in the series: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32 points per game, and Jalen Williams is averaging 20.7 per game.

Indiana is doing it with balance: The Pacers have seven players averaging double figures, with Pascal Siakam (18.3) and Tyrese Haliburton (17.7) leading the way.

Saturday will be a travel day. The teams will practice in Oklahoma City on Sunday, then play Game 5 there on Monday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) loses the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) loses the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), guard Luguentz Dort (5) and forward Jalen Williams (8) walk the their bench during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), guard Luguentz Dort (5) and forward Jalen Williams (8) walk the their bench during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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