Marović in Brussels: Achieved results confirm our commitment to EU

The goals and priorities of this Government are clear when it comes to Montenegro's accession to the EU. All available capacities will be used to fulfill all obligations from the negotiation process in the best possible way and as soon as possible, especially those in the field of rule of law, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Jovana Marović at a meeting with Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission Maciej Popowski.

Marović pointed out that the key goals in the coming period are to obtain final benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 during the Czech Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022, further democratic progress and political depolarization of society, intensification of cooperation and increased participation of EU member states in the accession process.

She pointed out that this Government has a strong political will to tackle all problems, especially in the field of fighting corruption, which is key to progress in the rule of law and which, as she said, was a "missing piece of the puzzle" during the previous period.

We demonstrated this will and determination to implement essential reforms in the first days of the Government's work. I am convinced that we will continue to confirm our clear commitment to the EU with concrete results on the ground, which will have a positive impact on the quality of life of our citizens, said DPM Marović.

She also presented the plan to reorganise the negotiating structure, which, as she explained, will follow the cluster division of the New Accession Methodology and ensure faster and more efficient coordination of the negotiation process.

Maciej Popowski stressed that political will is key to implementing reforms and called on Montenegro to seize the current moment in enlargement policy and make a significant step towards EU membership. In that context, he especially pointed out the importance of meeting interim benchmark and obtaining final benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24.

He pointed out that the EU is grateful for Montenegro's alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. We know that it costs Montenegro, but your country, despite that, has set an example to other countries in the region, Popowski said.

In this context, he offered EU support in implementing reforms in several areas, such as further implementation of the temporary protection regime for Ukrainian refugees in Montenegro, such as possible food shortages, campaigns to attract tourists from the EU market, and combating misinformation.

The officials agreed that successful implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan is a priority and that Montenegro can count on the EU in this regard.