Podgorica, (MINA) – By advancing in the closing of EU negotiation chapters, Montenegro has demonstrated that it is committed to European future, said Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) David McAllister, calling on all political actors to maintain focus on implementing key reforms.

Speaking at a press conference in Podgorica, McAllister said that the European Parliament strongly supports Montenegro’s European bid and recognizes its success in the accession process.

McAllister, who is leading the Committee’s delegation to Montenegro, said that the closure of several negotiation chapters at the end of last year, as well as one at the beginning of this year, is a clear indication of the state’s commitment to the European future.

According to McAllister, the focus in the coming period must remain on the implementation of reforms within the fundamental chapters, especially in the area of ​​the rule of law, including judicial reform, the appointment of judges, as well as a strong and credible response to corruption and organized crime.

He emphasized that the adoption of legislation alone is not enough.

McAllister reaffirmed Montenegro is a valuable and loyal NATO partner, but warned against external influences that could threaten the European course of the country.

He noted that Russia and Serbia have developed an information manipulation framework, using media, political and religious channels to pursue their strategic goals, aimed at undermining Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic orientation and strengthening pro-Russian sentiment.

When asked whether the security lapses and escape of Milos Medenica and former special prosecutor Lidija Mitrovic can affect Montenegro’s reform process and EU path, McAllister said that progress in the rule of law, civil liberties, civil society and press freedom is particularly important, and that Montenegro faces numerous challenges.

He said that the country has continued consolidating its constitutional and legal framework within Cluster 1, regarding the rule of law, democratic governance and fundamental rights, and that the positive report on the fulfillment of interim benchmarks for chapters 23 and 24 confirmed that Montenegro has made an important step forward in aligning its judiciary and prosecution with European standards.

However, he warned that the European Commission rule of law report for the last year noted that the implementation of these reforms remains slow and inconsistent, citing long-standing vacancies in the judiciary, weak administrative capacities and the absence of final judgments in cases of high-level corruption as the main problems.

Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Johann Sattler said that there are still “missing elements” in the system, primarily regarding the judicial appointments and cooperation between law enforcement authorities and courts.

The Committee delegation, led by McAllister, is visiting Podgorica to assess the progress in the EU accession negotiations ahead of the upcoming European Parliament report on Montenegro and to provide support for Montenegro’s reform efforts.