DRAFT REPORT (2025/2020(INI))
On the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro
AFET-PR-769896
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec
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This draft report on Montenegro's EU accession progress welcomes its reforms and alignment with EU foreign policy, while urging further work on rule of law, anti-corruption, media freedom, and socioeconomic reforms.¶¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur supports Montenegro's EU accession and proposes a resolution that welcomes progress while urging further reforms in democracy, rule of law, and other areas.¶¶¶
Key points
- Recognises Montenegro's commitment to EU accession and welcomes progress, including meeting interim benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 and closing three more negotiating chapters, bringing the total to six.¶¶
- Encourages political stability and implementation of reforms; welcomes alignment with EU foreign policy and support to Ukraine; urges countermeasures against foreign interference and disinformation.¶¶¶
- Calls for inclusive political dialogue, electoral reform, and a single nationwide municipal election day; urges alignment of electoral framework with EU standards and OSCE recommendations.¶¶¶
- Urges further judicial reforms, including aligning the constitution with EU standards on judiciary independence and determining retirement criteria for judges and prosecutors.¶¶
- Calls for stronger anti-corruption measures, including sufficient funding for the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and alignment of weapons legislation with EU law.¶¶¶
- Calls for full alignment of visa policy with the EU, especially regarding security risks.¶
- Calls for a new anti-discrimination law, action against hate speech and gender-based violence, and measures to address the gender pay gap and increase women's participation.¶¶¶
- Welcomes new media laws but insists on zero tolerance for pressure on journalists and calls for ensuring independence of the public service broadcaster and transparency of media funding.¶¶
- Regrets that Chapter 31 could not be closed in December 2024 and calls for solutions to bilateral issues, while encouraging proactive handling of war crimes cases.¶¶
- Welcomes Montenegro's inclusion in SEPA and the Growth Plan; encourages full implementation of the reform agenda and best use of EU funding, with attention to fraud prevention.¶¶¶
- Calls for reducing budget deficit and public debt, boosting digital transformation, and increasing transparency in public procurement.¶¶¶
- Urges advancing the green transition, adopting the National Energy and Climate Plan, and developing sectoral strategies for waste, air, water, nature, and climate.¶¶
Who is affected
- Montenegro's government and parliament, which must implement reforms in rule of law, anti-corruption, media, and other areas.¶¶¶
- Montenegrin citizens, who would benefit from a single municipal election day and improved governance.¶
- Journalists and media entities in Montenegro, who are urged to comply with transparency rules and face calls for protection from pressure.¶¶
- Vulnerable groups in Montenegro, including national minorities, who face discrimination and would benefit from a new anti-discrimination law.¶