The Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, announced that the legislature will remain almost in continuous session in order to fulfill obligations on the country’s path toward membership in the European Union.
Mandić made the statement during a meeting with a delegation from the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by its chair David McAllister, where he expressed gratitude for the EU’s long-standing and consistent support for Montenegro’s European integration.
Goal to Finalize Negotiations by 2026
Mandić stated that Montenegro aims to complete accession negotiations by the end of 2026, with the broader objective of becoming the 28th EU member state by 2028.
He highlighted that during the current parliamentary term, nearly 400 laws have been adopted, with approximately 170 aligned with EU legislation, emphasizing that intensified parliamentary work is essential to complete remaining reforms without delays.
Strengthening Institutional Cooperation
The Speaker also announced plans to open a European Parliamentary Center in June, intended to enhance cooperation with the European Parliament and support the country’s integration process.
According to Mandić, the Parliament serves as the “main driver” of Montenegro’s EU path, demonstrating full institutional commitment to membership through continuous legislative activity.
Rule of Law and Organized Crime Remain Key Challenges
Mandić identified the fight against organized crime and the need to further strengthen the independence and accountability of the judiciary as major challenges.
He stressed that negotiation chapters related to the rule of law and fundamental rights remain the most critical benchmarks for progress and are essential for improving citizens’ quality of life.
EU Officials Welcome Progress but Warn of Difficult Final Phase
Members of the European Parliament welcomed Montenegro’s progress, while noting that the final stages of accession negotiations are typically the most demanding.
The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro, Marjan Šarec, recently warned that the country faces a challenging year, urging political actors to overcome internal disputes and focus on completing EU accession talks.
Montenegro has so far provisionally closed 13 negotiation chapters and remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process. Authorities aim to close all remaining chapters by the end of the year under the slogan “28 by 2028.”
Meanwhile, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated that Montenegro’s accession agreement could become the first of a new generation, incorporating safeguard mechanisms to address potential democratic or rule-of-law backsliding.
