On Tuesday 13 December, the member states hailed the "steady" progress made by Montenegro in its European Union accession negotiations, according to a statement from the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the EU.
As new proof of this progress, Montenegro opened several negotiation chapters on Tuesday evening (EUROPE will return to this).
According to the statement, the member states nevertheless ask the country to deliver more concrete results on the rule of law, and a "strengthened and sustainable" track record in the fight against corruption and organised crime. Continued actions are needed to pursue public administration reform and to strengthen the independence of institutions, the statement continues, and it also calls for progress in the area of freedom of expression and media.
Taking note of the parliamentary elections on 16 October (see EUROPE 11648), the member states say that they expect the new government to maintain political commitment to the reform process, and they invite all political parties to re-engage in a constructive dialogue, notably within parliament. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)