If the third report on the implementation of the Reform Agenda is confirmed, Montenegro has so far provided over 100 million euros through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which represents a strong message that reforms are not abstract, but have a concrete financial effect, said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević.
She said that the Third Semi-Annual Report on the Implementation of the Reform Agenda, which the Government adopted, shows that Montenegro takes its obligations seriously and is continuously committed to the implementation of the Reform Agenda.
"Of the total of 45 reform steps that have been submitted for implementation in this period, more than half have been fully implemented, which is a clear signal that the reform process is yielding concrete results," Gorčević told the MINA Agency.
She stated that these reforms have a direct financial effect and bring new investments.
Gorčević reiterated that Montenegro, if the European Commission (EC) confirms the report, can expect around 55 million euros in new financial support, which is a strong boost to the economy, public services and overall development of the country.
"This is proof that the European Union (EU) recognizes the Government's efforts and believes in our reform direction," Gorčević pointed out.
When asked how many reforms have been completed in total and how much funding has been disbursed to Montenegro so far, she replied that the results are very encouraging and that, since the beginning of the implementation of the Reform Agenda to date, Montenegro has implemented more than 60 percent of the planned reforms, and the EU has already paid around 46 million euros.
"If the third report is confirmed, we are talking about more than 100 million euros that Montenegro will provide through the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. This is an extremely strong message - that reforms are not abstract, but have a very concrete financial effect and that Montenegro is using the historic opportunity that the EU is offering it," emphasized Gorčević.
The report shows that some of the reform steps have not been completed within the planned deadlines. Responding to the question of whether Montenegro has missed the deadlines and is there a risk of losing some of the funds, Gorčević said that the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, an EU instrument, provides for clear and flexible mechanisms for situations in which reform steps have not been fully completed within the initially planned deadlines.
"Given that these reform steps are in the implementation phase and that their results are expected in extended deadlines, we are not talking about the loss of funds, but about their disbursement after the completion of the reforms," Gorčević replied.
She said that the Government is clearly committed to intensifying activities on reforms whose deadlines are expiring in the coming period, with increased supervision, technical coordination of departments, and close cooperation with the EC.
"Our goal is clear - to complete the reform steps within the scheduled deadlines and not to lose a single euro allocated to Montenegro through the Reform and Growth Instrument," Gorčević emphasized.
Responding to the question of which sectors have proven to be the most successful, and where the greatest delays have been recorded, she said that they have very clear examples of good practices and that sectors such as education, energy and human rights have shown that, with good organization and clear accountability, reform goals can be achieved in full and within the stipulated deadlines.
Gorčević emphasized that, although the Ministry of European Affairs has a coordinating role, responsibility for implementing the Reform Agenda lies with all departments.
"Where we are recording delays, these are reforms that require deeper institutional changes, significant personnel investments, or the adoption of a larger number of laws and bylaws, with mandatory harmonization with the EC," said Gorčević.
She stated that in a large number of cases, this is a matter of administrative and procedural challenges, not a lack of will on the part of the relevant ministries.
"What is crucial is that the Government has not given up on any reform. Quite the opposite - in areas where there is a delay, activities are being further intensified, coordination has been strengthened, and the focus is on delivering concrete results," Gorčević pointed out.
The Reform Agenda for the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans also mentions amending the Constitution as a measure.
When asked what constitutional changes the EU expects from the country by the end of the negotiation process, Gorčević replied that Montenegro faces the constitutional changes that the Union expects from every country in the final phase of accession, in order to legally and institutionally prepare for full membership.
"One part of these changes relates to the introduction of new constitutional provisions that regulate the rights and obligations of Montenegro in the EU and the rights of our citizens as EU citizens. Citizens of Montenegro will have the right to vote and stand as candidates in elections to the European Parliament, in which we, as a member state, will have six members," said Gorčević.
According to her, the Constitution is expected to clearly define the legal basis for Montenegro's membership in the EU, including the possibility of entrusting certain constitutional powers to EU institutions, as well as the primacy and direct application of EU law in the national legal order.
This, as Gorčević said, ensures legal security for citizens and institutions and a clear place for Montenegro in the European legal system.
"In addition, the constitutional amendments relate to the position of Montenegrin citizens as EU citizens - the right to free movement and residence, the right to vote in local elections in other member states, as well as the right to consular protection and access to EU institutions," said Gorčević.
She said that at the same time, in accordance with the EU acquis, it also envisages the exercise of certain rights of EU citizens in Montenegro, especially in the area of local self-government.
"The second part refers to amendments to the existing articles of the Constitution, especially in the areas of voting rights, local self-government, as well as the independence of the Central Bank through the constitutionally defined primary goal of price stability and confirmation of its full independence, which is an EU standard," Gorčević stated.
As she said, among these changes is a constitutional amendment that was also included in the Reform Agenda.
"It relates to strengthening the independence of the judiciary, primarily through amendments to the provisions on the Judicial Council. This amendment is also an obligation under the IBAR Law and aims to remove political influence from the judiciary," said Gorčević.
These changes, as she emphasized, do not affect identity issues, but rather aim to ensure legal certainty, clarity of jurisdiction and the state's full readiness to function within the EU legal and institutional system.
"They are not a political condition imposed from outside, but a logical step for a country that has entered the final stages of the European integration process," said Gorčević.
Bonus video:
