Kos: Montenegro on track to close all remaining chapters by year-end

(Patria) - Montenegro closed negotiation chapter 32 - Financial Supervision at the Intergovernmental Conference between Montenegro and the European Union in Brussels today.

This is the 13th chapter closed out of a total of 33 negotiation chapters, thus completing 40 percent of the negotiation process.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced at a press conference that the closure of chapter 32 is significant, and reminded that Montenegro closed five negotiation chapters in December last year.

- This is a good start to the year, and Montenegro is on track to close all remaining chapters by the end of the year - Kos emphasized.

She noted that Montenegro celebrates 20 years since the restoration of its independence this year, and highlighted that this year will be marked not only by the celebration of this anniversary but also by diligent work.

- With your work, dedication, and effort, it is possible to close all chapters by the end of the year - Kos stated, and added that Montenegro represents a positive example in the region.

She stressed that Montenegro must now focus on closing the remaining chapters.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić assessed that the closure of this chapter is fundamental, and that last year was impressive for his country, but this year will surpass it.

- I congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, as well as the Ministers of European Affairs and Finance Maida Gorčević and Novica Vuković, and all others who contributed to the closure of this chapter.

The speed at which Montenegro is closing chapters is proof that the enlargement process is still alive - said Spajić, adding that his country is becoming more stable, dedicated, and reformed day by day.

Spajić also points out that Montenegro expects full membership in the EU.

During the Intergovernmental Conference, a large number of member states called for the formation of a working group for the drafting of an accession treaty with Montenegro.

Spajić stated that the public internal financial control system is fully aligned with European standards, and that strong financial control has evolved from an aspiration to a reality, which, as he stated, is an indicator of Montenegro's ability to protect both national and future EU financial interests.

Spajić states that by temporarily closing chapter 32 and continuing to monitor and strengthen financial control towards full membership, Montenegro clearly expresses its political choice to base accession on reliability, integrity, responsibility, and the rule of law.

Spajić also emphasized that the process of closing chapters goes beyond "mere formal harmonization" and reflects a genuine change in culture in the way public funds are managed, protected, and recorded.

In this regard, the Prime Minister pointed out the role of the State Audit Institution, which, as he emphasized, acts as a strong, independent, and credible guardian of public finances.

- Its work is transparent, its findings are taken seriously, and parliamentary oversight is active and effective - Spajić stated.

He also recalled that Montenegro has established effective mechanisms for coordination in the fight against fraud, ensured strong inter-institutional cooperation, and strengthened the system with protective measures, transparency, and control mechanisms "designed to reduce risk, not to transfer it".

The Prime Minister of Montenegro also stated in his address that the progress achieved is the result of political commitment at all levels, continuous institutional effort, and a clear strategic choice of the entire society.

Chapter 32 - Financial Supervision relates to the adoption of internationally accepted standards in the areas of public internal financial control, external audit, and EU best practices and their application to the entire public sector, discipline, and transparency in the use of national and EU funds.

It was previously announced by the Government that the closure of this chapter represents an important step for Montenegro on the path to EU membership and a clear signal of the trust that the EU has in the ability of Montenegrin institutions to protect the financial interests of the state and the EU, and to manage public funds responsibly and transparently.

By closing Chapter 32, Montenegro takes an important step forward towards fulfilling the final criteria for closing Cluster 1, which also includes key chapters 23 and 24, as well as the chapter on statistics, which form the foundation of the entire negotiation process.