Milatović and Kordić meet with Director General of DG NEAR Popowski

On the sidelines of the 30^th Economic Forum in Karpacz, Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović and Chief Negotiator Zorka Kordić met with Director General of the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) Maciej Popowski.

The Montenegrin officials presented the current socio-political and economic situation in Montenegro, noting that the country will be ready for EU membership in 2024. Special attention was given to the Government's results achieved so far, especially when it comes to economic recovery, stabilisation of public finances, but also progress in the rule of law and the fight against organised crime and corruption.

The meeting expressed optimism regarding the announced visit of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to Montenegro, which is a strong message of encouragement to our European path. In the context of the preparation of the Report on Montenegro, which should be published by the EC in the second half of October, Kordić expressed the expectation that it will reflect improved results, especially in the fight against organised crime. The Government needs stronger support from the European Commission, through concrete guidelines and instruments, so that substantial reforms can be truly implemented and so that Montenegro can serve as an example to other Western Balkan countries that the European perspective of this region still exists.

Popowski emphasised the need to bring new energy to the negotiation process, which is gaining new momentum with the application of the New Accession Methodology, and that emphasis should now be placed on activities important for closing the chapters. In this regard, he stressed that, in anticipation of the publication of the new EC Report on Montenegro, the focus must be on concrete and measurable effects in the rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform. He emphasised the importance of working with Member States, which are increasingly participating in the process in line with the revised methodology.