Bečić and Šaranović pay an official visit to Brussels

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić and Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović have begun their three-day visit to Brussels, where they met today with MEP and European Parliament Rapporteur for Montenegro Marjan Šarec.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Bečić emphasized his particular satisfaction that the visit to Brussels commenced with a proven friend and partner of Montenegro.

Montenegro is moving in the right direction, achieving historic results on its European path, as evidenced by receiving IBAR and the closure of negotiation chapters, a determined fight against organized crime and corruption, political stability, strong public support for European integration, a two-thirds majority backing for the 44th Government, and the return of the opposition to parliamentary seats. We are committed to channeling all our capacities towards accelerating our European journey with the goal of becoming the 28th EU member state by 2028, said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Bečić further highlighted that a key factor in strengthening political stability, reducing polarization, and focusing on European integration is the final resolution of the issue of holding all local elections on the same day. He noted that efforts to address this matter are currently at their peak.

Citizens, political entities, the domestic public, and international partners all want this issue to be resolved in a way that ensures all local elections are held on the same day. This will serve as a test of the sincerity and commitment of all political actors to successfully finalize this issue, Bečić emphasized.

Minister Šaranović stated that the Ministry of the Interior, as a leader in the integration process in the field of the rule of law, plays a crucial role in implementing reforms and strengthening the capacity of institutions in the fight against crime.

We have acknowledged that the interests of the Montenegrin Government and the Ministry of the Interior align with those of the EU, particularly regarding our shared priorities: further combating all forms of organized crime and corruption, tackling irregular migration and smuggling, and enhancing border management. We are aware that the period ahead requires even more intensive efforts to meet the obligations of the negotiation process. However, the results achieved so far, as well as the recognition of our overall efforts by our European partners in creating an environment of zero tolerance for crime, give us confidence that Montenegro will soon take its rightful place within the European family, concluded Minister Šaranović.

Montenegro is doing everything necessary and in the right way on its path to the EU. The Ministry of the Interior is fulfilling its responsibilities, the Ministry of Defence is meeting its obligations, and you are a committed NATO member. I am pleased to witness Montenegro's significant progress, said MEP Šarec.