Montenegro opened three more negotiating chapters in EU accession talks, but was warned that more results were needed on the ground, which should be seen and felt by the citizens.
The representatives of the European Union and Montenegro met in Luxembourg in two formats to advance the accession negotiations at the Accession conference and to review progress in the overall bilateral relations in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Council.
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, who represented the European Commission at both meetings, said three more negotiating chapters were opened: chapter 4 – free movement of capital; chapter 31- foreign, security & defense policy as well as chapter 32 – financial control. “This brings the total of chapters opened so far to 12, with two provisionally closed,” he said.
Last month we the screening for all the chapters was completed, which is an important milestone in the accession process, the commissioner added.
“We stressed that this good progress in completing different stages, in opening and closing chapters, needs to be accompanied by real progress on the ground – especially regarding the rule of law it cannot be limited to the adoption of plans and strategies. It needs to be seen, and felt, by the citizens,” Füle said.
New laws need to be implemented efficiently. For example, almost one year since the adoption of the constitutional amendments, the position of the supreme state prosecutor is still vacant, due to a lack of broad parliamentary majority, he said, calling on government and the opposition to find a solution to this issue.
“Also – we have called repeatedly for an end to impunity for violence and threats of violence against journalists. We expect to see real results soon. Results that will go beyond the establishment of commissions and will create a better climate for the media in Montenegro,” Füle said.
At the same time, the EU welcome the participation of civil society in the negotiations’ working groups and the transparency achieved with the publication of the government’s reports on the implementation of the action plans for the rule of law.
“We also welcomed Montenegro’s decision to align with the EU position concerning measures taken on issues related to the Ukraine situation,” Füle said.
You can read full statement here.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-206_en.htm
