DPM Bečić and Minister Šaranović meet with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Brussels

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić and Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović met with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos during their official visit to Brussels.

Congratulations to Montenegro on the significant progress made on its path to EU membership. You have my full support in your ambition to close all negotiation chapters by 2026, stated Commissioner Kos. While there is still work ahead, particularly in the area of visa policy, I commend you, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister, and your team for the successes achieved in combating crime and corruption, as well as in border and migration management, which already contribute to a safer EU, she further emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Bečić expressed gratitude for the encouraging messages and support for Montenegro’s achievements and ongoing efforts in accelerating its European integration and strengthening the rule of law.

We are pleased that the EU's annual report has recognized Montenegro’s outstanding results in the fight against organized crime and corruption. This success is largely due to the excellent cooperation between our security sector and the prosecution with Europol. The level of trust is evident in the significant increase in data exchange over the past year. We are witnessing historic results in prosecuting members of organized criminal groups and individuals of operational interest, as well as in combating economic and environmental crimes, dismantling smuggling networks, and addressing corruption-related offenses. However, challenges remain in the area of rule of law, particularly with inefficient judicial proceedings often hindered by procedural abuses. One of our key priorities is cleansing the security sector and the entire state apparatus from the influence of crime and corruption. Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior has achieved record progress in legislative reforms, adopting key strategies and laws aligned with the European agenda. A more stringent Law on Firearms is currently being prepared, and it is important to highlight the success of the Ministry’s ‘Respect Life, Return the Weapons’ campaign, which led to the voluntary return of more weapons in the past two months than in the previous ten years. Ultimately, Montenegro is determined to continue its European path, and by closing multiple negotiation chapters this year, we aim to maintain our planned momentum towards achieving the historic goal and the dream of many generations—to become the 28th EU member state by 2028, concluded Bečić.

Minister Šaranović highlighted Montenegro’s progress in strategic planning. We have achieved maximum results, with a 100% implementation rate of strategic documents under Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security, marking a significant advancement compared to previous years, he added.

Furthermore, in the legislative sphere, the Ministry of the Interior adopted seven key laws and regulations in 2024, a notable improvement over the previous year when only one out of 13 planned laws was enacted.