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

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

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

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated at a press conference that the closure of Chapter 32 is significant, and recalled 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 this year marks 20 years since the restoration of independence, and stressed that this year will be marked not only by the celebration of that jubilee, but also by valuable work.

- With your work, dedication and effort, it is possible to close all chapters by the end of the year - Kos emphasized, and stated 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 the past year was impressive for his country, but that this year will surpass it.

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

The speed with which Montenegro closes chapters is proof that the enlargement process is still alive - said Spajić and added that his country is becoming more stable, committed and reformed day by day.

Spajić also emphasizes that Montenegro expects full EU membership.

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

Spajić said that the system of public internal financial control is fully aligned with European standards, and that strong financial control has evolved from an aspiration to 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 provisionally closing Chapter 32 and continuing to monitor and strengthen financial control ahead of full membership, Montenegro clearly demonstrates its political choice to base accession on reliability, integrity, accountability and the rule of law.

Spajić also emphasized that the chapter closure process goes beyond "mere formal alignment" and reflects a genuine change in culture in the way public funds are managed, protected and recorded.

Along those lines, the Prime Minister pointed to 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 efficient - Spajić emphasized.

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 safeguards, transparency and control mechanisms "designed to reduce risk, not transfer it."

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

Chapter 32 - Financial Control refers 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.

The Government previously announced that the closure of this chapter represents an important step forward for Montenegro on the path to EU membership and a clear signal of the trust 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 further towards meeting the final criteria for closing Cluster 1, which also includes key chapters 23 and 24, as well as the statistics chapter, which form the foundation of the entire negotiation process.