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REPORT (2025/2020(INI))

On the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro

A-10-2025-0093

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec

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This resolution on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro welcomes the country's progress in EU accession, including the closure of three more negotiating chapters, and calls for continued reforms in democracy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. It urges Montenegro to align with EU standards in areas such as electoral law, judiciary, anti-corruption, media freedom, and human rights, and to address concerns about foreign interference, disinformation, and political polarisation. The resolution also highlights socio-economic reforms, including the use of EU funds, and calls for measures to counter depopulation, improve public administration, and enhance transparency in infrastructure projects.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes that Parliament adopt a resolution welcoming Montenegro's progress but urging further reforms in rule of law, anti-corruption, and fundamental rights, and expressing concern over foreign interference and political polarisation.

Key points

  1. Recognises Montenegro's commitment to EU accession and welcomes its leading position, with all 33 chapters open and six provisionally closed, and supports the goal of joining the EU in 2028.
  2. Commends Montenegro for meeting interim benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 and for closing three more negotiating chapters, bringing the total to six.
  3. Calls for political stability and effective implementation of reforms, particularly electoral and judicial reforms and the fight against organised crime and corruption.
  4. Welcomes Montenegro's full alignment with EU foreign and security policy, including restrictive measures, and encourages strengthening enforcement and asset seizure.
  5. Expresses concern about malign foreign interference, disinformation, and hybrid threats, and urges Montenegro to adopt countermeasures in cooperation with the EU and NATO.
  6. Calls for full alignment of the electoral legal framework with EU standards and implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, including gender parity on electoral lists.
  7. Urges Montenegro to establish a single nationwide municipal election day, as provided for in the Law on Local Self-Government, and notes that future Reform and Growth Facility funds are contingent on this reform.
  8. Calls for further judicial reforms, including filling remaining high-level positions, depoliticising appointments, and reducing case backlog, particularly for organised crime cases.
  9. Urges Montenegro to step up its criminal justice response to high-level corruption and ensure effective functioning of anti-corruption bodies free from political influence.
  10. Calls on Montenegro to fully align its visa policy with the EU, expressing concern about visa-free regimes for Russian and Belarusian passport holders.
  11. Calls for adoption of a new anti-discrimination law and strategies to improve access to rights for vulnerable groups, including Roma and LGBTI persons.
  12. Urges Montenegro to align definitions of gender-based violence with the Istanbul Convention and to adopt the law on legal gender recognition without delay.

Who is affected

  • Montenegro's government and parliament, which are urged to implement reforms in rule of law, anti-corruption, and EU alignment.
  • Journalists and media workers in Montenegro, who should be protected from pressure and violence, with zero tolerance for attacks.
  • Civil society organisations in Montenegro, which face a shrinking space and smear campaigns; calls for a supportive legal framework.
  • Roma and LGBTI persons in Montenegro, who face discrimination and difficult living conditions; calls for measures to improve inclusion.
  • Women in Montenegro, who face gender-based violence and underrepresentation; calls for stronger protection and participation.

Figures and deadlines

  • All 33 chapters of the EU acquis are open and six provisionally closed.
  • Over 18 800 refugees from Ukraine were registered in Montenegro as of 31 January 2025.
  • The Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans includes EUR 6 billion.
  • Montenegro's reform agenda would provide access to over EUR 380 million in grants and favourable loans.
  • In 2022, elections in 14 municipalities were held on the same day.