Kos: I support Montenegro's goal to close all chapters by the end of 2026

The European Commission fully supports Montenegro's goal to close all negotiation chapters by the end of next year, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. Speaking to MEPs on the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Kos also pointed out that more chapters with candidate countries have been closed in the past seven months than in the past ten years.

"Montenegro is progressing rapidly. We have provisionally closed six chapters, and we expect to close more chapters soon. Montenegro's goal to close all chapters by 2026 is ambitious, but realistic if reforms continue, and we fully support it," Kos said, RTCG reports.

The Commissioner for Enlargement also assessed that certain candidate countries understood that they had serious "momentum" ahead of them and were implementing reforms faster than before.

She recalled that Albania has so far opened 24 negotiation chapters, and that, along with Montenegro, it is the most advanced candidate country, especially in the rule of law.

"But still, whatever we do with candidate countries, there has to be what I call an 'eagle eye'. So, we are a strong controller of what is happening there. It's about implementation. It's not enough for them to adopt the law. We have to see the implementation. And that's the hardest part," said Marta Kos.

Speaking about other countries in the region, Kos emphasized that real progress in Serbia depends on restoring public trust and engaging all stakeholders.

"I also told President Vučić that his visit to Moscow sends the wrong signal and makes our efforts to advocate for Serbia more difficult," Kos pointed out.

Turning to the situation in Kosovo, the Commissioner stressed that it is essential to quickly form institutions and move forward with key reforms in the judiciary, media and public administration after the February elections.

"A functional government and parliament are essential for Kosovo to benefit from the reform and growth mechanism. The Commission is ready to prepare an opinion on Kosovo's EU membership when requested by the Council. But let me be clear, Kosovo's path to the EU is through normalization with Belgrade through EU-mediated dialogue, not through unilateral actions," Kos stressed.

When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Commissioner Kos points out that the political situation continues to delay progress.

"The door to the EU remains wide open, but Bosnia and Herzegovina must now fulfill its remaining obligations. Milorad Dodik's sessionist policies are dragging the country back, not forward, and it is time for those who believe in the EU and the country's future to join forces and implement reforms," ​​Kos says.

He also points out that the Commission's goal is to open negotiations with North Macedonia on a cluster related to fundamental reforms as soon as the necessary constitutional amendments are adopted.