Waitz: Montenegro closer than ever to signing EU Accession Treaty

Montenegro is closer than ever to signing the Treaty of Accession to the European Union (EU), the text of which is already prepared - said Chair of the EU - Montenegro Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee (SApC), Thomas Waitz.

Speaking at a press conference following the two-day 26th meeting of the SApC, he said that the Montenegrin Government and Parliament had done as much as possible to build the institutions necessary to uphold the rule of law and demonstrate progress in environmental protection.

- The pace of legislative work in Montenegro is unprecedented in other countries in the region. A great deal of effort is being invested in bringing the process to its conclusion, and we are now in the final phase of closing the negotiating chapters - Waitz said.

He noted that Parliament had done everything necessary to bring Montenegro to the final stage of the accession negotiations.

- Montenegro is closer than ever to being able to sign the Treaty of Accession. Work on the treaty is under way in working groups, and the text is already prepared - Waitz said.

He added that the SApC had adopted a declaration at its meeting without any votes against, following intensive discussions and constructive dialogue.

- The discussions were respectful; we listened to one another and successfully reached compromises - Waitz noted.

He stressed that neither Montenegro nor the EU Member States were perfect, but that the key was having institutions capable of ensuring the rule of law and effective environmental protection.

- Work on implementing the rule of law and protecting the environment must continue at all times. This is not a task that ends when a negotiating chapter is closed - Waitz said.

He expressed his hope that Montenegro’s eventual accession to the EU as its 28th member would be celebrated, adding that he hoped this would happen in 2028.

Dejan Đurović, Co-Chair of the SApC, said that discussions during the committee’s two-day meeting had been substantive and constructive, and that important issues concerning the next stages of Montenegro’s European integration had been raised.

- What is particularly important is that, despite differing views on certain issues, we maintained a dialogue with a clear awareness of our common goal: successfully concluding the accession negotiations and securing Montenegro’s EU membership - Đurović said.

He noted that, by adopting the SApC declaration and recommendations, the participants had sent a message that the European path required tangible results, as well as continuous political accountability, a partnership-based approach and support from European institutions.

Đurović stressed the importance of reaffirming that the final stage of the negotiations required commitment from both sides: Montenegro must continue to fulfil its obligations, while the EU must maintain a credible, predictable and merit-based enlargement process.

- It is particularly significant that we are soon set to close the most demanding negotiating Chapter 23, which concerns the judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as Chapter 24 and Chapter 27 - Đurović said.

He noted that, according to the Minister of Ecology, Montenegro had received the final green light to close Chapter 27.

Đurović said that progress in these areas was crucial to concluding the accession negotiations and demonstrating that Montenegro could meet the standards required for EU membership.

He added that the two-day meeting, which concluded today, was particularly significant given that the SApC, established in 2010, was approaching the end of its work.

Đurović said that the experience gained through years of parliamentary dialogue should serve as a foundation for stronger cooperation in the next phase of Montenegro’s path towards EU membership.

- Our task now is to turn our conclusions into tangible results and maintain our focus on the goal ahead - Đurović said.