Podgorica, (MINA) – The procedure for establishing an ad hoc working group to draft Montenegro’s EU Accession Treaty is underway, but no specific date has been set for the start of the work, as this depends on the overall pace of negotiations and the completion of the necessary internal procedures within the EU Council.

This was stated by Ambassador of Cyprus in Montenegro Andreas Fotiu in an interview with Vijesti.

He said that the formation of an ad hoc working group for drafting of the Accession is one of the key priorities of the Cypriot presidency.

According to Fotiu, EU member states and relevant institutions will participate in the ad hoc working group.

“The completion of the Accession Treaty depends on the overall pace of the negotiations. In this context, we encourage Montenegro to continue to actively pursue the ambitious goal of concluding the accession negotiations”, said Fotiu.

Asked if he expects Montenegro to close all chapters by the end of the year, Fotiu replied that Montenegro, having closed 14 chapters, has made commendable progress and remains the most advanced candidate state.

He added that Cyprus fully supports Montenegro’s ambitious goal to close all remaining chapters, and added that progress so far in all negotiation chapters shows clear political commitment and administrative capacity.

As Fotiu stated, further progress will depend on continued reforms, especially in key areas such as the rule of law, as well as on maintaining strong political commitment in all institutions involved.

Asked what Montenegro needs to do in the coming year to maintain its status of the most advanced candidate country, he replied that preserving credibility will require the continued concrete and tangible progress in fundamental reforms, especially in the areas of the rule of law, judicial independence and the fight against corruption and organized crime.

Fotiu added that it is equally important to ensure political stability, strengthen democratic institutions and maintain compliance with the EU’s foreign and security policy. 

Asked how the current political instability and the fact that the Democratic Party of Socialists withdrew from the key parliamentary positions could affect Montenegro’s EU negotiations, he said that constructive and inclusive political dialogue is essential for the progress of accession negotiations.