The work of the state administration in the area of the rule of law should be improved through open dialogue, it was stated at consultations with the non-governmental sector (NGOs) on the topic of action plans for fulfilling the final benchmarks in negotiation chapters 23 and 24, organized by the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA).
The government department said that the consultations brought together representatives of the government, the negotiating structure, and the civil sector, opening up space for a transparent and constructive exchange of views on key reforms in the area of the rule of law.
Montenegro's Chief Negotiator with the European Union (EU), Predrag Zenović, said that the common goal is to contribute to strengthening the efforts of the state administration in the area of the rule of law, as well as ensuring a broader social consensus on the most important social issues, through open dialogue and constructive proposals from NGOs.
He said that the action plans for chapters 23 and 24 precisely define all activities necessary to fulfill the obligations assumed from the aforementioned chapters, which represent the backbone of the entire negotiation process with the EU.
"Care was taken to ensure that the recommendations from the EU Common Position, which contains the final benchmarks, are in line with the obligations arising from the EC Report on Montenegro, the Reform Agenda of Montenegro 2024-2027, the Montenegro EU Accession Programme (PPCG), as well as other communications with the European side," explained Zenović.
As he said, it is planned that the action plans will be adopted by the Government and that their implementation will be monitored on a semi-annual basis, and he emphasized that the obligations stipulated in the final benchmarks in these and other chapters must be fulfilled by the end of 2026.
Zenović announced that draft action plans for the implementation of the final benchmarks in chapters 23 and 24 will be considered within the framework of the Rule of Law Council, as the highest political body directing the EU integration process when it comes to this area.
"The deadline in question is ambitious, but we also believe it is possible if social actors in all spheres come together around a goal that is common to all of us," said Zenović.
Negotiator for Cluster 1 and Head of the Negotiating Working Group for Chapter 23, Jelena Grdinić, announced that during the development of action plans, a series of thematic meetings were held, attended by all members of the working groups, including representatives of the NGO sector.
She emphasized that a comprehensive approach in the development of these strategic acts is important in order to ensure broader social consensus and showed openness to further consultations with the civil sector.
The Head of the Negotiating Working Group for Chapter 24, Jovana Mijović, pointed out that cooperation with the civil sector is important when it comes to Chapter 24 and assessed that now is the right time for NGOs to actively engage in the development of action plans.
Commenting on the short deadlines set by the action plans, she said that the Government is determined for Montenegro to become the 28th member by 2028.
The MEPs said that the focus of the talks was on activities leading to the fulfillment of remaining obligations in chapters 23 and 24, and thus on Montenegro's further progress in the European integration process.
"Civil sector representatives assessed the action plans as ambitious and recognized the need to organize thematic meetings in order to achieve better progress," the statement said.
It is stated that the consultations also discussed improving communication and treatment of persons with disabilities.
It is added that NGO representatives were particularly interested in the Deinstitutionalization Strategy, as well as several key laws, including laws on financing political parties and election campaigns, on data protection, prevention of corruption, on salaries in the judiciary, criminal procedure, treatment of minors, as well as the Personnel Plan of the Police Directorate.
The MEPs stated that today's consultations with the civil sector were also an opportunity to exchange opinions on reforms in the field of restitution, with an emphasis on the need to professionalize the commissions dealing with this topic.
The consultations were attended by representatives of the Institute Alternative, NGO Restitucija, the Association of Displaced Roma and Egyptians from Kosmet in Montenegro, Action for Human Rights, Spektra Association, Civic Alliance, and Youth Initiative for Human Rights.
The consultations were also attended by representatives of the NGO Master, NGO 35 mm, the Association of the Blind, Fors Montenegro, Mensa, the Association of Youth with Disabilities, CRNVO, and the Center for Monitoring and Research.
In order to more effectively involve the NGO sector, participants are invited to send their suggestions and criticisms to svetlana.rajkovic@mep.gov.me within the next 15 days.
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