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07-Jul-2025
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Prebilič: Closing 26 chapters by the end of '26? Honestly, it will be difficult, but...

AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

"To be honest, I think it will be difficult, but that doesn't mean it's impossible," said Slovenian MEP Vladimir Prebilič in response to a question about Montenegro's chances of closing as many as 26 sub-chapters by the end of next year. He was speaking at a recent conference organized in Podgorica by the Centre for Civic Education (CGO).

Prebilič emphasized the openness of the European Commission and added that from the EU side, "things are going okay." He warned, however, that there are “bilateral challenges,” not naming but clearly referring to relations between Podgorica and Zagreb. He reminded of Brussels’ principle that bilateral relations must not influence the EU accession process of any country.

"You would want that, if there are certain issues, they should be separated from the negotiations, and addressed bilaterally. That way, the whole EU is not under pressure from one country. So, we’ve already stated this quite directly, and I hope it will be heard where it needs to be heard..."

The Slovenian MEP assessed that the process of fulfilling obligations is not easy and that a lot of work is needed. He specified that the EU expects concrete results from Montenegro – “something that can be put on the table,” especially in the area of judiciary.

"I wouldn’t say that everything is perfect, but there is always room for improvement. In this area, there is still plenty of room for progress. It’s not only about prosecuting corruption, which is good, but we also need results in terms of how it is being eradicated – meaning, how these issues and cases are being closed."

Vladimir Prebilič stated that the EU is aware of “certain limitations, when we talk about the capacities that will carry this out,” and that Brussels is there to help speed up the process.

"There’s still work to be done in this area."

When asked whether Montenegro is politically stable enough, Prebilič said it’s hard for him to assess “what lies beneath,” but that when “we speak with all officeholders in Montenegro, we get the feeling that things are going well.”

"The people we’re in contact with are extremely positive. And most importantly, there is still public support. People support Montenegro’s path to the EU."

Prebilič avoided answering a question about rising nationalism, the endangered secular nature of the state, historical revisionism... whether these are the values with which Montenegro follows the European path. Instead of commenting on the undermining of those fundamental values, he repeated that results are expected in the fight against corruption and respect for human rights.

The Slovenian MEP stated that the worst-case scenario would be for Montenegro to become an EU member without fulfilling all obligations from the European agenda.

The conference "13 Years of the European Path: Directions, Crossroads, Detours" was organized by the Centre for Civic Education.

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