Podgorica, (MINA) – The Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) has reaffirmed its support for Montenegro’s European path and the continuation of accession negotiations, while encouraging all political actors in the country to continue constructive and inclusive action and not to allow short-term political divisions to compromise the current momentum.

The SAPC two-day meeting in Strasbourg ended on Thursday, after which a joint Declaration was adopted in which the support for Montenegro’s EU accession was reaffirmed and the significant progress achieved in the previous period was welcomed.

It was pointed out that Montenegro maintains its frontrunner position, with the expectation that it will intensify reforms in order to meet the remaining final benchmarks.

The document assesses that a successful completion of the negotiations would benefit the country, the Western Balkans region and the Union itself, and encourages the EU institutions and Member States to pursue all necessary preparations for Montenegro’s accession, including the drafting of the Accession Treaty.

The SAPC noted the significant progress Montenegro made in the previous six months, and emphasized that the coming year will be intensive for Montenegro, with a large volume of work left to be finalized, and pointed out that the regular functioning of the parliament is of key importance.

“Therefore, we encourage all political actors in the country to keep to engaging constructively and inclusively, focus on the overarching objective of concluding negotiations and not allow short-term political divisions to compromise the current momentum”, the document reads.

SAPC assessed that the meaningful engagement of civil society will be key to fostering a sense of shared societal ownership of the EU accession process and called on social and economic actors to step up their engagement in the preparations for EU accession.

The parliamentarians pointed out that the identity-related discussions in Montenegro’s multiethnic society require broad, inclusive and longterm discussions, in order to ensure common interest and avoid polarization.

The Committee recalled that the key to the successful conclusion of the negotiations is the implementation of the closing benchmarks for the rule of law chapters 23 and 24.

SAPC welcomed the recent election of the director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, but emphasized the need to conclude pending appointments in the Constitutional Court and the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils.

The parliamentarians emphasized the need to closely monitor the implementation of the Law on Internal Affairs and on the National Security Agency and called on Montenegro to fully align these laws with the EU acquis in the area of ​​personal data protection.

Montenegro is also invited to make progress in aligning with the EU visa policy, recalling that this is the closing benchmark requirement under Chapter 24, as well as a commitment in the Reform Agenda.

In the area of ​​energy and environmental protection, the adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan was welcomed, but the need to accelerate reforms under Chapter 27 was pointed out, especially in the areas of ​​cutting carbon emissions, waste management and nature protection.

In the foreign policy part, the Committee noted that Montenegro is fully aligned with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including restrictive measures, and welcomed inauguration of EU-Montenegro Security and Defense Dialogue.