The presence of the European Union in the south of Montenegro is now reinforced with the ofiicial opening of Europe House Bar, a new official space for dialogue with citizens. Established through a partnership between the EU Delegation to Montenegro and the Municipality of Bar, this modern space is designed to serve as an institutional platform for dialogue, information dissemination, and civic engagement.
Johann Sattler, the Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro, Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, and Dušan Raičević, Mayor of Bar, spoke at the opening ceremony. Speakers highlighted the importance of strengthening the EU’s institutional presence at the local level and emphasised the value of direct dialogue with citizens in the process of European integration.
Johann Sattler, the Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro, stated:
“Europe House in Bar is not just a new address – it is a space where Europe becomes real, tangible, and present in the lives of the citizens of this city and the entire coastal region. We want European values, opportunities, and support not to be something distant but a part of everyday life in the local communities. This is a place of encounter, dialogue, and change – This is an mportant landmark of the European future, already taking shape, right here in Bar.”
Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, added:
“The opening of Europe House in Bar comes at a time when Montenegro is demonstrating full commitment to the process of European integration. In a short period, this Government has returned the European agenda to the centre of political action. This is recognised by our European partners, who are now investing in institutions, reforms, and projects across the country with increased trust and readiness. Citizens of Montenegro see this as well. They show one of the highest levels of confidence in the European Union. This clearly demonstrates that, as a society, we are firmly committed to the European path. This also proves that the European path is not just a foreign policy objective but a deep internal necessity of our society.”
Dušan Raičević, Mayor of Bar, emphasised that Europe House in Bar confirms the trust that the European Union places in Bar and its local administration. Simultaneously, it is a recognition of Bar’s dedication to adopting and implementing European standards and best practices. Raičević noted that during the last 4 years, the Municipality of Bar has successfully cooperated with the European Union through 12 projects in various areas, including sustainable development, social inclusion, preservation of rich cultural and natural heritage, green policies, and urban mobility. These projects, whether completed or ongoing, total over two million euros.
“Europe House is a symbol of solidarity, equality, and respect for diversity. These are the very values championed by Europe and ones that we in Bar have lived and preserved for centuries. I am confident that Europe House will become a space for encounters, new ideas, dialogue, and development. Let it be a bridge between the citizens of Bar and the European institutions, between the local and the global, between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s solutions,” concluded the Mayor of Bar.
Located in the premises of Radio Bar, on 24 November Boulevard, Europe House Bar is envisioned as an open space that will bring citizens closer to information about the European Union, its policies, programmes, and values – through educational activities, public debates, exhibitions, and cultural events. The opening programme included a presentation of activities that will commence tomorrow at Europe House.
The opening event brought together high-ranking representatives, national and local authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, media, civil society representatives, and numerous citizens. This further underscores the importance of events like this for the strengthening of the institutional dialogue and advancing Montenegro’s European integration.
In a country aspiring to join the European Union, the EU’s presence in local communities holds particular significance. European integration is not solely a process taking place at the state level – it rests on the active participation of citizens in all regions. Europe Houses, such as the one in Bar, serve as bridges between local communities and European institutions, enabling citizens to get involved and contribute to a shared European future.
To mark the opening of Europe House, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro organised an open-air concert for the citizens of Bar and numerous visitors.
