The European Parliament has called for enhanced political stability in Montenegro, along with substantial progress in electoral and judicial reforms, as well as a robust commitment to combatting organised crime and corruption. In a report adopted with a majority of 470 votes in favour, 102 against, and 77 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) reaffirm that Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process.
MEPs emphasise that there is considerable support among the Montenegrin population and a significant number of political stakeholders for the country to aim for EU membership by 2028.
“It is important to note that the adoption of necessary legislation involved cooperation between both coalition and opposition parties. This reflects a high level of awareness that the European path is the only right one for Montenegro, with no viable alternative. Montenegro’s achievements thus far provide a solid foundation for addressing future challenges, which are numerous and far from easy. The fight against organised crime and corruption, judicial reform, and the prevention of influence from third countries are of critical importance for meeting democratic standards,” said the rapporteur on Montenegro, Marjan Šarec (Renew Europe, Slovenia).
The Parliament also acknowledges Montenegro’s complete alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, which encompasses the enforcement of EU sanctions against Russia. Additionally, MEPs commended Montenegro for its dedication to upholding the international rules-based order within the United Nations framework.
Nonetheless, the Parliament expresses grave concerns regarding various threats, including malign interference, cyber-attacks, hybrid methods, disinformation campaigns, and attempts to destabilise the nation. Such actions pose risks to Montenegro’s political processes and public opinion, thereby jeopardising both its advancement towards EU membership and the credibility of the European Union.
