Montenegro can close chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security) by the end of the year only with a continued focus on implementation and achieving concrete results, said the European Union Ambassador to Montenegro, Johan Sattler.
He and Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević opened the 15th meeting of the Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security between Montenegro and the European Commission, which is taking place today and tomorrow in Podgorica.
Over the past year, Montenegro has done significant work in reforming judicial, anti-corruption and media legislation, strengthening institutions and achieving measurable results in these areas, thereby confirming its consistency with its ambition to become a full member of the EU in 2028. In order to complete the reform momentum and meet the conditions for closing chapters 23 and 24 by the end of the year, it is necessary to ensure the cooperation of all political and social factors and to demonstrate results, especially in the field of fighting corruption and organised crime, it was assessed at the meeting, as announced by the Ministry of European Affairs (MEP).
Minister Gorčević emphasized that the Subcommittee has special significance because Montenegro is in the "final stages of the negotiation process", and that it represents not only a regular negotiation mechanism, but also a key point of verification of the real readiness to bring the reform process in the area of the rule of law to an end, emphasizing that the Government and the Parliament "remain firmly and unequivocally committed" to the implementation of these reforms.
"Montenegro is a fairer and more resilient society today. The infiltration and connection of organized crime groups with institutions, which was at a worrying level in the past, is no longer our reality today. Strengthening the integrity and independence of the judiciary has led to concrete and measurable results, including the initiation of proceedings against those holding the highest judicial positions, which is clear evidence that there are no longer any untouchables and that we are striving towards a society in which the law applies equally to all," the minister said.
She said that a "strong and coherent strategic framework" has been established in the field of justice through the adoption of the Judicial Reform Strategy, the Judicial Digitalization Strategy, and the War Crimes Prosecution Strategy. As she pointed out, intensive work has also been done on normative reforms, through amendments to key systemic laws, including the Criminal Procedure Code, the Criminal Code, the Law on Courts, the Law on the Constitutional Court, the Law on Salaries of Judicial Officers, and the Law on the Special State Prosecutor's Office, which are in the final stage of harmonization.
"The results are also visible in practice. The efficiency of the courts in 2025 increased by about 10 percent, with the case resolution rate increasing from 92,32% in 2024 to 102,33% in 2025. By March 2025, the Constitutional Court had resolved almost all cases older than three years and is now focusing on cases from 2024 and 2025. In the area of war crimes, Montenegro continues to build a credible and sustainable track record in investigation, prosecution and adjudication, including high-level cases, in accordance with international law," said Minister Gorčević.
She said that the rule of law and the fight for justice are not processes that end with joining the European Union, but that it is an ongoing task that even the oldest member states are continuously working on. "We know what challenges lie ahead and we are ready to face them responsibly and solve them - not only until the end of the negotiation process, but also after membership. Our goal remains to build a fairer society, with strong and independent institutions that citizens trust and that are the guarantors of trust in the state."
Sattler said that it is important that Montenegro continues to achieve measurable results and that it will have the support of the European Union on this path, the MEP announced.
"Montenegro has set an ambitious goal to close chapters 23 and 24 by the end of the year, which can only be achieved through a continued focus on implementation and delivery of concrete results. The European Union stands ready to continue supporting Montenegro in this final phase. What is most important now is consistency, institutional accountability and tangible results on the ground," said Sattler.
Deputy Prime Minister for the Political System, Judiciary and Anti-Corruption, Momo Koprivica, emphasized that the goal this year is to complete the reforms that have been initiated, assessing that Montenegrin society has "shown strength" in implementing the EU agenda.
The fight against corruption, he said, is a key segment of strengthening institutions so that they can effectively serve citizens, while strengthening integrity and improving the legislative framework, including amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, "and progress in these areas is an indicator of the maturity of our democracy."
Koprivica said that the Government provides continuous support to the judiciary, which is "particularly reflected through the adaptation of spatial capacities for the needs of the Special State Prosecutor's Office and the Special Police Department, as well as through corruption prevention measures". He also stressed the importance of improving the capacities of the National Anti-Corruption Council in order to monitor the Strategy and launch anti-corruption initiatives.
He said that the Government "remains strongly committed" to European integration and that Montenegro will, on its merits, become a member of the European Union.
The meeting was also attended by the President of the Constitutional Court Snežana Armenko, the President of the Supreme Court Valentina Pavličić, the Minister of Justice Bojan Božović, the Minister of Internal Affairs Danilo Šaranović, the Minister of Human and Minority Rights Fatmir Đeka, the Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković, the Special State Prosecutor Vladimir Novović and the Acting Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption Dušan Drakić, as well as high-ranking officials of the European Commission, the EU Delegation to Montenegro, and other representatives of the international community.
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