WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS
Member of the European Parliament Marjan Šarec, in his role as the European Parliament's standing rapporteur for Montenegro, presented the first draft of a report on Montenegro's progress towards EU accession. The report, based on the European Commission's reports for 2023 and 2024, highlights key achievements and challenges that, in his assessment, are essential for Montenegro's further alignment with the European Union.
This draft report has been prepared within certain length constraints and will be subject to review and amendments by MEPs. The vote on the report is expected to take place in May 2025 in the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), followed by a final vote during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in June 2025.
In the report, the Standing Rapporteur welcomed Montenegro’s progress in implementing reforms and measures, which are the result of joint efforts by political actors, civil society and the general public. He also called on political leaders to remain focused on EU integration, stressing that political stability and constructive cooperation between parties are, at this stage, the only sustainable path towards the common goal of Montenegro’s full membership of the EU.
In addition, in the draft report, he encouraged the Montenegrin authorities to amend the electoral laws as soon as possible, primarily to ensure that local elections are held across the country on the same day, while also addressing other outstanding issues related to local elections. All of this is aimed at ensuring the successful functioning of municipalities, which is ultimately linked to EU funds, their efficient use and, consequently, a higher standard of living for citizens.
The report acknowledges progress in the judicial system, while highlighting the need for Montenegro to further align its legal framework—including the Constitution—with EU laws and standards concerning the independence of the judiciary, impartiality, integrity and professionalism.
In a separate statement, the Permanent Rapporteur assessed that Montenegro does not lack the political will to continue on its European path, and public support for EU accession remains exceptionally high.
“However, it is imperative to ensure that the daily fluctuations of political life—arising, in my opinion, from a large number of political parties, each seeking to secure its own position—do not hinder the adoption of substantive laws needed to complete the negotiation process,” Šarec said.
He further stressed that laws must be as effective as possible and must not succumb to the temptation of being merely “cosmetic”.
“Montenegro has every opportunity to join the EU within the current mandate of the European institutions,” Šarec stressed.
The report states that Montenegro, which applied for EU membership on 15 December 2008, has made significant progress since it was granted candidate status in December 2010. As part of the accession process, the European Parliament acknowledged Montenegro’s continued reforms, in particular in Chapters 23 and 24, which deal with the judiciary and fundamental rights. The closure of three negotiation chapters brought the total number of closed chapters to six, indicating positive momentum towards meeting EU criteria.
Commitment to reforms and the rule of law
The resolution calls on all political actors in Montenegro to maintain their focus on EU integration and to foster political stability. It stresses the importance of cooperation between parties in order to close additional chapters and effectively implement reforms. Parliament stressed the need for the Montenegrin authorities to improve transparency in political financing and ensure compliance with EU standards for elections, including by establishing a single day for municipal elections at national level.
Despite past political tensions, the current ruling coalition has shown a willingness to engage constructively with opposition parties to advance the legislative agenda necessary for EU accession. Parliament expressed concern about possible political boycotts and stressed the need for constructive dialogue to address current challenges.
Montenegro’s commitment to the rule of law is key to its EU aspirations. The European Parliament called for continued reforms to bring the judicial system into line with EU standards, in particular as regards independence and integrity. Recent reforms of the judicial system and efforts to fight corruption were positively assessed, with the need for further alignment with EU legislation on weapons and anti-discrimination laws.
Parliament condemned hate speech and hate crimes, calling on Montenegro to improve the protection of vulnerable groups and address gender-based violence. New media laws in Montenegro are seen as a positive step, but concerns remain about media polarisation and the influence of political and foreign actors.
Regional cooperation and good neighborly relations The resolution also emphasizes the importance of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation as vital components of the EU enlargement process. While acknowledging Montenegro's active participation in regional initiatives, it regrets that Chapter 31 could not be closed due to unresolved bilateral issues, in particular with Croatia.
Montenegro is encouraged to adopt a proactive approach in addressing war crimes and ensuring justice for victims, strengthening its commitment to reconciliation and stability in the Western Balkans.
Socio-economic development and EU alignment
Montenegro's economic growth is positively assessed, but Parliament calls on the government to continue its efforts to reduce the budget deficit and align its legislation with EU standards on public procurement and fraud prevention. Inclusion in EU payment schemes is a step forward in reducing costs for citizens and businesses, further integrating Montenegro into the EU economy.
The resolution calls for improved transparency in governance, improving energy resilience and adopting sectoral strategies for environmental management. Montenegro is urged to implement its National Energy and Climate Plan to support its green transition.
