Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership is visible, but remains too slow in several key areas, said Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Johann Sattler, adding that it is necessary to speed up reforms, in particular in chapters 23 and 24.

In an interview with the Pobjeda daily, he said that Montenegro is moving in the right direction, but that progress is too slow in several key areas, and the pace must be stepped up, in particular in regard to constitutional amendments and key judicial appointments, including two vacancies in the Constitutional Court.

Sattler stressed that alignment with EU visa policy is also of key importance, adding that Montenegro is yet to provide convincing evidence of effective efforts to combat organized crime and confiscate criminal assets.

According to him, a number of other chapters also require picking up the pace, in order to align Montenegrin legislation with EU standards.  

Sattler said that chapters covering the internal market (Chapter 1), competition (Chapter 8), financial services (Chapter 9), food safety (Chapter 12), transport (Chapter 14), and customs (Chapter 29), but also the Chapter 27 (Environment and climate change), demand serious legislative alignment, as well as investment. 

“If the Government wants to achieve its own ambitious objective of closing accession talks by the year end, ministers in charge of these chapters will need to further intensify reform efforts and deliver results as soon as possible”, said Sattler.

Asked if it was realistic to expect Montenegro to close all chapters this year, Sattler responded that the EU could offer support, but that Montenegro must deliver results and meet its reform goals.

“The main priority is to make up for delays and speed up reforms where the progress has been too slow. The goal is attainable is the pace of reforms is significantly increased in the areas I previously mentioned and if political unity and full commitment to this objective are maintained”, said Sattler.