Spajić: By closing Chapter 5, Montenegro has received confirmation that it is going according to plan

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced tonight that, by closing Chapter 5 (public procurement), Montenegro has received confirmation from the European Commission (EC) and the European Union (EU) member states that it is on track to close all chapters next year.

Montenegro closed another negotiation chapter (5 - public procurement) tonight at the Intergovernmental Conference with the EU.

"We have fully implemented the plan that was presented to the European Commission last year, and we hope that by the end of the year we will have many more reasons to celebrate," said Spajić, after the Inter-Ministerial Conference between Montenegro and the EU in Brussels, in a statement published on the website of the Council of the EU.

He stated that there was great optimism among the member states today, that the messages were very encouraging, "that the messages spoke in the direction of counting on Montenegro and encouraging Montenegro to focus maximally on European reforms over the next year and a half and that the result would not be lacking."

Spajić said that Chapter 5 is one of the most demanding, along with Chapters 23 and 24, which relate to the rule of law, and Chapter 27, which concerns ecology.

He said that this cluster (rule of law) is very demanding, and that it is usually closed at the end of negotiations, which shows that Montenegro has progressed and that the EC has given it a great recognition.

The Government officially announced in a statement that Montenegro closed Chapter 5 - Public Procurement, the first chapter from Cluster 1 (Fundamental Rights) this evening at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, bringing the total number of provisionally closed negotiation chapters to seven.

"The closure of Chapter 5 is a significant step towards the ultimate goal and completion of negotiations on accession to the European Union (EU), "said Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, stating that this chapter has particular weight because it reflects the quality of governance through transparency, accountability and effective prevention of corruption.

According to a government statement, Spajić thanked the Polish presidency, member states and the European Commission (EC) for their support in closing the chapter on public procurement.

"We are closing the first chapter of the Fundamental Rights Cluster in the history of EU enlargement according to the new methodology. We are monitoring the dynamics based on the EC's export assessment. And by the end of the year we will have many more reasons to celebrate," said Spajić.

Closing Chapter 5, he said, is a significant step towards the common ultimate goal - the completion of accession negotiations.

He reminded that this process, after seven years, was unlocked exactly one year ago, with the receipt of IBAR.

"Six months ago, at the previous Intergovernmental Conference, I asked you to have confidence in our motivation, determination and ability to deliver you the 2028th EU member state by 28," said Spajić.

As he pointed out, continuity is essential in this marathon.

"We need to close the chapters at a pace that will allow us to fulfill our European ambitions," Spajić emphasized.

He said that the chapter that Montenegro closed today has special weight, because it directly reflects the quality of governance - through transparency, accountability and effective prevention of corruption.

This, according to him, comes as a follow-up to last week's recognition received in Dublin for decisive actions and results in the field of combating illegal tobacco trade.

"Montenegro is open for business, but closed to crime and corruption," Spajić said.

As he pointed out, the progress achieved under Chapter 5 - Public Procurement demonstrates Montenegro's institutional maturity and its ability to apply European standards in areas necessary for the functioning of the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of public administration.

"It also strengthens the overall credibility of our reform efforts, not only within the accession process but also in achieving European standards as a future EU member state," Spajić added.

Director of the European Commission's Directorate for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood Hert Jan Kopman congratulated Spajić, the Government of Montenegro and society as a whole.

"I am glad that we are here after only six months to close another chapter that is the result of your seriousness, dedication and credible planning," said Kopman.

As he added, this is a testament to the merit-based EU enlargement process.

"And this is a big signal to the entire region. Montenegro is fulfilling its obligations in accordance with the set plan. We are certain that there will be more intergovernmental conferences during this year where we will be able to celebrate together," said Kopman.

He said that today we are celebrating Montenegro's progress and the acceleration of the implementation of EU reforms.

"From our point of view, the next few months of this year are crucial for the completion of significant reforms, which brings us into the coming year with positive momentum and with good prospects for achieving the ambition to complete the negotiations," said Kopman.

He pointed out that the electronic public procurement system has drastically reduced even the possibility and risk of corruption in that area.

"We need to continue on this path with the same dynamics and we will work on it together," said Kopman.

Poland's Permanent Representative to the EU, chair of the conference, Agnieszka Bartol, said that accepting new members is a geostrategic imperative and a need for the EU.

"Your future is with us and as soon as possible. You can always count on Poland's support and assistance on that path," said Bartol.

She welcomed the radical reforms that Montenegro has implemented in public procurement.

As stated in the statement, during his presentation at the Intergovernmental Conference, Spajić emphasized Montenegro's absolute commitment to the rule of law, strengthening citizens' standards, good neighborly policy, and European integration.

"With your support, by the end of this year, we should be ready to close five more chapters – with the added likelihood of achieving internal readiness for two more," Spajić said.

As he pointed out, the negotiating structure and all departments are working diligently and well, in close cooperation with the EC. "We promise that we will earn your approval to close this year as much as in the previous twelve. We will be six times more successful," Spajić concluded.