On the 2025 Commission report on Montenegro
AFET-PR-784340
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec
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This draft report welcomes Montenegro's progress in EU accession talks and urges continued reforms, especially in rule of law, anti-corruption, and fundamental rights.¶¶¶ It calls for action on judicial efficiency, media freedom, discrimination, and socio-economic reforms, while supporting Montenegro's EU path.¶¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a resolution welcoming Montenegro's progress and urging continued reforms, with a focus on rule of law, anti-corruption, and fundamental rights.¶¶¶
Key points
- Welcomes Montenegro's progress, including provisional closure of 6 more negotiating chapters in 2025 and 1 in 2026, and supports completing negotiations by end of 2026.¶
- Encourages political stability and cross-party cooperation, and further implementation of closing benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24.¶
- Welcomes Montenegro's full alignment with EU foreign and security policy and the EU-Montenegro Security and Defence Dialogue.¶
- Calls for stronger measures against foreign interference, hybrid threats, and disinformation, and for strategic communication on EU benefits.¶
- Urges faster, merit-based judicial appointments and alignment with EU standards on judicial independence and efficiency, including reducing backlogs.¶¶
- Urges stepping up investigation and prosecution of high-level corruption and strengthening anti-corruption bodies.¶
- Calls for comprehensive integrity policies and increased efficiency in prosecuting serious and organised crime, especially money laundering.¶
- Calls on Montenegro to fully align its visa policy with the EU, especially regarding security risks, as a closing benchmark under Chapter 24.¶
- Regrets discrimination against Roma, Egyptians, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ persons; calls for a new anti-discrimination law.¶
- Condemns hate speech and hate crimes, and urges Montenegro to step up its institutional response and align with EU acquis.¶
- Urges Montenegro to address gender-based violence and adequately fund and enforce its gender equality framework.¶
- Calls for swift enforcement of laws protecting journalists and media, and for the independent operation of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services.¶¶
Who is affected
- Montenegro's government and parliament, which must implement reforms and maintain political stability.¶¶
- Judicial and anti-corruption bodies in Montenegro, which need to improve efficiency and integrity.¶¶
- Vulnerable groups in Montenegro, including Roma, Egyptians, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ persons, who face discrimination.¶
- Media and civil society representatives in Montenegro, who need protection from attacks and meaningful involvement in policymaking.¶¶