Commission Recommends Montenegrin Accession Talks

Montenegro’s achievements towards integration were presented to the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule.

“Montenegro has worked hard. We have seen real progress including in judicial reform, revising the electoral law, media freedom, anti-discrimination and the fight against corruption and organised crime. I am, therefore, proposing today to open accession negotiations with Montenegro,” Fule told the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

According to the Commission, Montenegro has successfully addressed the key priorities that were outlined last October by the EU for the opening of accession negotiations.

However, it is also noted that more remains to be done, especially in area of the rule of law.

The Commission proposes a new negotiation approach in this area, which would include speedy addressing of issues related to the judiciary, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.

Montenegro gained EU candidate status last year, but the EU linked the launching of Montenegro’s accession negotiations to the fulfilling of criteria in seven areas: strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, fighting organised crime, improving the election law, overhauling public administration, enhancing media freedom and implementing anti-discrimination policies.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Igor Luksic welcomed Commissioner Fule to Podgorica today.