Podgorica, (MINA) – Professional and resilient security sector institutions are among the key preconditions for the successful closure of negotiating Chapters 23 and 24, assessed Minister of the Interior Danilo Saranovic during a meeting with standing European Parliament (EP) rapporteur for Montenegro Marjan Sarec.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Saranovic and Sarec met in EP where they discussed reforms in the security sector, the fight against organized crime and corruption, as well as further steps on Montenegro’s path towards the EU.

“The interlocutors pointed out that today Montenegro is achieving the most significant results in the European integration process since the beginning of the negotiations, and that the status of the most advanced candidate state is not the result of political declarations, but of concrete reforms and measurable results achieved by the institutions”, the press release said.

Sarec, as stated, welcomed the security sector reforms, the strengthening of integrity and the fight against crime within the police force in line with GRECO recommendations and EU standards and emphasized the importance of meeting the benchmarks and the fact that Montenegro is on the way to closing chapters 23 and 24.

Saranovic said that the fight against organized crime and corruption is not only a European obligation, but a matter of protecting the state, its institutions and every citizen.