Diplomatic and governmental activities are underway to overcome the disputed situation with Croatia, and most of the issues that have been raised will be resolved very soon, said the Minister of European Affairs. Maida Gorcevic.
She said in an interview with "Vijesta" that chapter 31, which was blocked by Croatia, is technically ready to be closed and she is convinced that at one of the next intergovernmental conferences, the EU partners will confirm this.
This week, at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Montenegro closed three chapters - 7 (intellectual property rights), 10 (information society and media) and 20 (entrepreneurship and industrial policy), while chapter 31 (foreign, security and defense policy) blocked by Croatia.
Gorčević said that she does not want to believe that inherited issues, which date long before the Resolution on Jasenovac, Dachau and Mauthausen, can be the reason for not closing Chapter 31 and that "political decisions often have multi-layered and complex consequences".
He says that there are no announcements that Croatia or any other member of the European Union could block some other chapters.
She expects that during 2025, Montenegro will close a large number of chapters, two of which - chapter 4: Freedom of movement of capital and chapter 5: Public procurement - are already technically ready to be closed during Poland's presidency of the Council of the EU, which begins in January and lasts for six months.
In negotiations with the EU, Montenegro closed three chapters, but not the fourth (chapter 31) due to Croatia's opposition. How do you think you can solve the problem with Croatia? When do you expect to close that chapter?
We worked diligently during the past year and managed to fulfill all the conditions, that is, the final benchmarks for closing the four negotiation chapters, which was also confirmed at the meetings of the Working Group on Enlargement of the Council of the EU (COELA). After seven years of stagnation, closing three chapters is a huge achievement and we will not allow it to be diminished by not closing Chapter 31. We are aware that we have done everything in our power to meet the final benchmarks for this chapter. Diplomatic and governmental activities to resolve disputed issues with Croatia are already well under way. I can already say that most of the questions that have been asked will be resolved very soon. Chapter 31 is technically ready to close, and our part of the job is complete. Due to all of the above, I am convinced that our EU partners will confirm this at one of the next intergovernmental conferences.
Do you think that Croatia's move was due to the adoption of the Resolution on Jasenovac in the Parliament, for which the deputies of your Europe Now Movement also voted? As a party official, do you still think it was a good move? And what do you think as the Minister of European Affairs?
I will remind you that the inclusion of bilateral issues in the process of European integration is contrary to the principle of evaluating the progress of candidates based on merit. That's why I don't want to believe that inherited issues, which date long before the Resolution itself, can be the reason for not closing Chapter 31. Political decisions often have multi-layered and complex consequences. Unfortunately, sometimes the most optimal choice is the one that does the least damage compared to the others. As a minister and official of the PES, I would like the Assembly to focus more on the issues of the future and not to waste energy on topics on which it cannot have a direct influence. That is why, by adopting the Barometar 26 platform, we have secured a framework around which everyone should gather and act together.
How many chapters do you plan to close in the next year? Excluding chapter 31, which chapter will be the hardest to close? Is a chapter ready to be closed?
The plan for closing all chapters by the end of 2026 was made in cooperation with colleagues from the European Commission. That plan reflects both our readiness and theirs, with dynamics that correspond to real circumstances. We expect to close a large number of chapters during 2025. Of these, two – chapter 4: Free movement of capital and chapter 5: Public procurement – are already technically ready to be closed during Poland's presidency of the EU Council, which starts in January and lasts for six months. Next year will be extremely challenging because we will have to carry out technical preparations for 2026. This includes the implementation of the most complex set of laws and reforms to date, as well as a record of achieved results. Chapter 27 - Environmental protection - will be one of the most demanding, both in terms of necessary reforms and financially. Apart from it, chapters related to freedom of movement of workers, social policy and employment will also be technically and financially challenging to close. We will pay special attention to the issues of labor migration, which represented a serious challenge for the new members of the Union, including our neighbors the Croats. Regardless of past successes, it is important to emphasize that the Europeanization of Montenegrin society should not be measured only by the number of closed chapters. It is reflected in the true democratic, economic and social benefits that this process brings.
Do you have any indications that Croatia could still block some chapters? Why do you think that?
We do not expect any EU member state to block the negotiation process, as it must remain based on the principle of merit. If we complete our part of the work and meet the technical criteria for closing the chapter, I don't think there is any reason to block. To be specific - there are currently no such announcements.
Could another member block the closing of the chapter and why?
There are no announcements about blocking the closing of the chapter by any EU member. Also, we have no formal or informal information that any chapter or bilateral topic could be the reason for blocking the negotiation process. The announcements of all European officials are consistently on the line of evaluating our progress solely on the basis of objective merits.
Do you expect all EU members to accept the proposal from the Slovenian-German non-paper that in the pre-accession process there is no possibility of veto and blockade due to bilateral issues with neighboring countries? Why?
I repeat, this is a merit-based process, and the entire negotiation methodology would not make sense if political and bilateral issues could block its course. I will remind you, for example, of the bilateral issues between Slovenia and Croatia, which burdened Croatia's negotiation process, and which, even today, when both countries are members of the EU, have not been fully resolved. For bilateral disputes, there are mechanisms that enable their resolution, and I believe that these issues should not burden the negotiation process, which is focused on internal reforms and harmonization with EU standards. The recommendation of the Council of the EU to start preparations for drafting the Treaty on the Accession of Montenegro in the coming period is particularly encouraging. This is a key step that brings us to the final stage of negotiations. While we are working on closing the remaining chapters, the European Union will prepare the ground for the admission of a new member.
Did Montenegro receive the first tranche of around 29 million euros from the Instrument for Reform and Growth within the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans? What will that money be used for?
When it comes to the initial phase of allocation of financial resources from the Growth Plan, it is important to clarify that the European Commission will first pay pre-financing in the amount of 7 percent of the total amount of funds. This pre-financing will not depend on the fulfillment of the planned reform steps from the Reform Agenda. After that, the first regular semi-annual tranche follows. After the Reform Agenda has been confirmed, it is planned that Montenegro will receive close to 27 million euros as pre-financing. Of this amount, around 14 million euros will be directed to finance infrastructure projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, while the remaining funds will be paid in the form of budget support. No specific projects or activities are defined for budget support, but it is managed by the state that receives the funds. Before the funds are disbursed, the Accession Agreement and the Loan Agreement are expected to enter into force in the first quarter of 2025.
The amount of EUR 29,5 million, which is the subject of your question, refers to the first regular half-yearly tranche. Its payment is linked to the fulfillment of conditions defined through 14 steps in different policy areas. The European Commission defined February 28 next year as the deadline by which it is necessary to complete these steps, after which Montenegro is obliged to submit the first report to the European Commission by mid-March, along with an accompanying request for the payment of the first half-yearly installment.
How much is the second tranche and will we meet the conditions for receiving it? What are the conditions?
According to the program documents, the second regular half-yearly support tranche is expected after Montenegro fulfills 11 key steps, which must be implemented by June next year. The maximum amount of funds available, depending on the degree of realization of those steps, amounts to 22,6 million euros.
In order for the funds to be available, it is necessary, among other things, to implement certain changes in the section - Business environment and development of the private sector, to revise the anti-corruption framework, the framework of integrity and conflicts of interest for public procurement, as well as to ensure that the new Law on the Registration of Business Entities recognizes and defines the status of active and inactive companies.
When it comes to the green energy and digitization sector, it is necessary, among other things, to implement measures aimed at protecting energy-poor and vulnerable consumers and to adopt a long-term building renovation strategy with an appropriate action plan.
In the field of Human Resources Development, it is necessary to identify a minimum package of guaranteed social services in the Strategy for Deinstitutionalization and provide sustainable financing of these services. In the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law, the aim is to harmonize the legislation with the acquis of the EU and European standards on the independence, responsibility, integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the judiciary and prosecution. Also, it is important to connect and provide access to the databases of the Revenue and Customs Administration, as well as other state authorities with which the Special Prosecutor's Office cooperates.
I do not believe that the announced blockade of the Board will last
The new blockade of the work of the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform will slow down the planned dynamics of closing the chapter, given that electoral reform is one of the main demands of Brussels. What can the Government and members of the parliamentary majority do to prevent this from happening?
I do not believe that the announced blockade of the Board will last, as previous similar announcements have not been realized. I am convinced that all political forces are aware of their responsibility in this final phase of Montenegro joining the European Union and that no individual or political party wants to be remembered for actions that harm their country. The government and the prime minister are open to talks with the opposition, and that invitation has already been sent. We managed to overcome many challenging moments together and gather around agreed goals. I am sure that this time the outcome will be the same and that the Committee will deliver results in the field of electoral reform as soon as possible.
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