The fight against corruption is not a technical issue, but one of the key political issues in Montenegro's accession process to the European Union (EU), said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević.
She said this at the conference "Fighting Corruption on the Path to the EU: From Rhetoric to Concrete Results", organized by the Ministry of European Affairs and the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK).
Gorčević stated that the fight against corruption is not a technical issue.
"It is one of the key political issues of the EU accession process. It is a question of trust, of citizens' trust in institutions and of the EU's trust in the candidate country's ability to apply Union standards in practice," Gorčević added.
She said that this is why the fight against corruption is at the very heart of Montenegro's reform process.
"Today, we no longer have the luxury of dwelling on rhetoric. Montenegro has advanced the furthest in the negotiations, and that is precisely why concrete, visible and sustainable results are expected from us," Gorčević added.
She stated that European integration is not just about harmonizing legislation with the EU acquis.
"They imply a profound transformation of the way institutions function, how decisions are made, and how public resources are managed," said Gorčević.
She stated that the EU is clear in this regard.
"Without visible and lasting results in the fight against corruption, there will be no progress in the negotiations," said Gorčević.
According to her, it is particularly important to understand that the fight against corruption is not limited to negotiation chapters 23 and 24.
"It is a horizontal issue that concerns all negotiation chapters and all sectoral policies. Our task is to identify specific corruption risks in each area, to clearly map them and to demonstrate that we have the capacity and willingness to prevent them systematically," said Gorčević.
She said that Chapters 23 and 24 remain the foundation of the entire negotiation process.
"Without progress in the area of the rule of law, there will be no progress in other chapters, because the rule of law permeates all policies," Gorčević added.
She said that Montenegro has established a normative and institutional framework in the fight against corruption, and that key laws, strategies and action plans have been adopted.
Gorčević said that the balance of results in criminal prosecution shows that things are moving forward, there are deadlocks.
"In the last three years, more than 40 indictments have been filed against senior state officials, including former ministers, judges, prosecutors and heads of institutions. The first half of last year also saw an increase in the number of cases and the number of completed proceedings compared to the previous period," said Gorčević.
According to her, these are facts that confirm some progress, but they are not enough in themselves.
"We must be self-critical, but also honest. A normative framework and individual results cannot replace the need for a lasting and convincing track record," Gorčević added.
She added that the EU expects Montenegro to consistently implement regulations, have stable results in preventing and sanctioning corruption, especially when it comes to high-level corruption, as well as strengthen financial investigations and confiscate illegally acquired assets.
Gorčević said that the strength of modern democracies is not measured by the complete absence of corruption, but by the state's ability to systematically recognize, prevent and sanction it.
"This is the standard that Montenegro aspires to and which is an integral part of our European vision. Montenegro no longer has time to delay, but it has the knowledge, experience and partners to bring this process to an end," said Gorčević.
Minister of Justice Bojan Božović said that they are satisfied that on the one hand they have concrete results, and because "we are aware that there is a long and difficult road ahead of us."
"And we must not run away from that. That long road represents the fact that we must continue to strengthen the normative framework. That we must complete the story related to the law on the prevention of corruption. That we must finish the story with the law on the protection of whistleblowers," said Božović.
He added that we must continue with those sources of law that relate to amendments to the Law on the Confiscation of Proceeds from Criminal Activity and amendments to the Criminal Code and the introduction of a new section, which is illicit enrichment in connection with public office.
Božović said that the selection of a full-time director of ASK is one of the most important challenges.
Acting Director of ASK, Dušan Drakić, said that Montenegro is entering a phase of negotiations in which institutions are expected to deliver clear, measurable and sustainable results in line with European standards and citizens' expectations.
"The EU accession process has entered a decisive phase. Chapters 23 and 24 are not just a formal framework for negotiations, they also represent a test of the institutional maturity of the state, its ability to ensure the rule of law, the integrity of public authority and the real prevention of corruption," said Drakić.
According to him, this is why the responsibility of institutions is greater than ever.
"ASK is aware of the gravity of the task ahead of us. Our role is not only regulatory or supervisory, but essentially reformative. The expectations are clear. Consistent application of the law, a non-selective approach, resolving backlogs, strengthening and public confidence in the institutions of the system," said Drakić.
He said that concrete and recognized results have been achieved.
"The European Commission, in its reports, has noted progress in the area of corruption prevention, strengthening institutional capacities and the legislative framework," said Drakić.
He stated that the Agency has also demonstrated operational political independence in practice, and not just on paper.
"We acted impartially, regardless of the function or political affiliation of the subjects, which is a basic prerequisite for a credible fight against corruption," said Drakić.
He said that the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2026-2027 will represent a qualitative leap forward compared to previous documents.
Drakić said that the Agency is ready to take on its share of responsibility and to insist on the responsibility of everyone else.
He said that the European path cannot be based on temporary breakthroughs, but on a permanent and convincing track of results.
"Montenegro has a real chance to close Chapters 23 and 24 by the end of the year. For that to happen, strong institutions are needed, political maturity is needed and determination is needed to implement the reforms to the end," said Drakić.
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