Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight.
The Civil Protection Agency said Monday that 44 people required medical assistance as the blaze passed by the outskirts of Monchique, 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Lisbon, in the dark. A 72-year-old woman was seriously hurt.
Authorities said that more than 1,000 firefighters with 327 vehicles and seven aircraft were battling the blaze.
People observe from outside their homes as fire gets closer to the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Sunday, Aug. 5 2018. Over 700 firefighters were still battling a forest fire near the Portuguese town of Monchique in the southern Algarve region, a popular tourist destination. (AP PhotoJavier Fergo)
The wind-driven fire has raced across tinder-dry pine and eucalyptus forest in a largely inaccessible hill range behind the famous beaches of Portugal's Algarve vacation region.
Plumes of black smoke have blown across beaches popular with European tourists.
Firefighters expect forecast cooler temperatures to help them bring the fire under control.
Large flames are seen on a hillside outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Sunday, Aug. 5 2018. Over 700 firefighters were still battling a forest fire near the Portuguese town of Monchique in the southern Algarve region, a popular tourist destination. (AP PhotoJavier Fergo)
A firefighter group set before heading towards the fire at the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Sunday, Aug. 5 2018. Over 700 firefighters were still battling a forest fire near the Portuguese town of Monchique in the southern Algarve region, a popular tourist destination. (AP PhotoJavier Fergo)
People stand next to the fire before being evacuated at the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Sunday, Aug. 5 2018. Over 700 firefighters were still battling a forest fire near the Portuguese town of Monchique in the southern Algarve region, a popular tourist destination. (AP PhotoJavier Fergo)
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 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)
