Members of the Government discussed with COELA representatives: Negotiations can be successfully concluded by the end of the year

Today in Podgorica, a meeting was held between government members and negotiation structures with members of the Working Group for Enlargement (COELA) and the Working Group for drafting the accession agreement of Montenegro to the EU, during which strong support was confirmed for finalizing the negotiation process by the end of 2026. Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović stated that the reform process is nearing completion and that the remaining legislation and all documentation the government needs to adopt will be implemented very quickly, after which the Parliament will adopt the final parts of the legislation necessary to close the remaining chapters. Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević said that while Montenegro fulfills its obligations and counts on member states to ensure that measurable progress translates into concrete decisions – both regarding the closing of negotiation chapters and improving preparations for the accession treaty. The minister stated that Montenegro should be an equal member of the EU, as it has so far shown to be not only predictable but also a reliable partner that the Union can count on. Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović emphasized that Montenegro, in the final phase of accession negotiations, is committed to achieving concrete and sustainable results within Chapter 24, through strengthening the rule of law, migration and asylum management, border control, and strengthening the security sector. Speaking about the fight against organized crime and corruption, he stated that organized crime must not be allowed refuge within state institutions and that no one is above the law, highlighting that internal controls, anti-corruption mechanisms, and police operational capacities are being strengthened simultaneously.