Brussels, 17/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - In its progress report on Montenegro published on 16 October, the European Commission stated that several negotiating chapters could be opened with Montenegro. Montenegro began its accession negotiations in June 2012. The Commission has now recommended opening Chapters 23 (judicial apparatus and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security), judging that Montenegro has fulfilled the opening criteria. “Continued efforts are needed to efficiently implement the action plans on Chapters 23 and 24, as well as to build a sustainable track record in the fight against corruption and organised crime”, the Commission states. It adds that attacks against journalists are a cause for concern and need to be investigated and prosecuted. Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle hoped that these chapters would be opened before the end of the year, and “something tells me that we could perhaps open others too”, he added (our translation). The Commission is thus proposing to open six other chapters on public procurement (Chapter 5), company law (6), intellectual property law (7), information society and media (10), taxation (16) and industrial and enterprise policy (20).
However, Montenegro's limited administrative capacities must be strengthened in order to ensure the effective application of EU legislation, the Commission notes.
In its report, the Commission states that Montenegro has made further progress in establishing a functioning market economy, has improved its ability to assume its responsibilities stemming from EU accession, and continues to meet the political criteria sufficiently. Montenegro has faced a number of political challenges over the last year, including allegations of misuse of public funds for party political purposes, and the need to improve the electoral process and to complete the constitutional amendments in order to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, the Commission's report states. It continues: “Parliament adopted these constitutional amendments in July”. (CG/transl.fl)