Gorčević: Montenegro shows that no individual or criminal structure is above the law

Montenegro has earned recognition as a leader in the European Union (EU) enlargement process and has a credible basis for fulfilling the rule of law obligations necessary for the successful closure of Chapters 23 and 24, said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević.

Gorčević met today in Strasbourg with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Bruner, with whom she discussed the reforms that Montenegro is implementing with the aim of closing Chapters 23 and 24.

"Montenegro has earned recognition as a leader in the enlargement process and has a credible basis for fulfilling the rule of law obligations necessary for the successful closure of chapters 23 and 24. The remaining criteria are known, the path to implementation is clear, and the institutions are achieving results," said Gorčević.

She, as announced by the Ministry of European Affairs (MEP), emphasized that over the last 18 months, Montenegro has shown that reforms in the area of ​​the rule of law are yielding tangible results through stronger institutions, increased efficiency and a credible record of law enforcement.

Gorčević said that the independence of the judiciary is stronger today than at any time in recent years, and that financial investigations are becoming a standard component of criminal investigations, which is exactly what the EU expects from a mature rule of law system.

"Montenegro is showing that no individual and no criminal structure is above the law. The strongest evidence of progress under Chapters 23 and 24 is not legislation, but law enforcement. For the first time in many years, institutions are achieving sustainable and visible results in the fight against organized crime and high-level corruption," said Gorčević.

She emphasized that there is still work and challenges, especially regarding the final appointments of judges, further strengthening of preventive mechanisms to combat corruption and continued implementation of fundamental rights reforms, but that Montenegro is firmly in control of the process and is becoming an active contributor to European security, not just its beneficiary.

Bruner congratulated Montenegro on the results it has achieved on its European path, which are reflected in 16 provisionally closed negotiation chapters.

"You are on track to meet all conditions and close negotiations by the end of the year. The results you are achieving in the rule of law are confirmation of your determination to persevere in your set goals - to be a developed democratic society and the next member of the EU," Bruner said.

He said that it is important that Montenegro now intensify efforts to fulfill remaining obligations and ensure the provisional closure of Chapters 23 and 24.

"We continue to support you and work together with you, because your success will be the success of the entire EU," said Bruner.