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EC preparing the reports on Chapters 23 and 24

Zorka Kordić (Foto: Vlada Crne Gore)

The Office for European Integration is planning to improve the negotiation structure in the run-up to a more dynamic phase of negotiations with the EU, said in an interview with the Dan Ms Zorka Kordić, Montenegro’s chief negotiator with the EU. She has explained that the need for the innovation of structure and work dynamics of the negotiation teams is linked to two factors in particular.

“The new composition of the Government has introduced changes in terms of the number, structure, and functioning of ministries, so in the dialogue with the ministries regarding the selection of representatives, the emphasis will be on the need that all EU sectoral policies in the 33 negotiation chapters be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Departments need to provide appropriate representatives in the structure for monitoring of the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement,” Ms Kordić said.

She pointed out that even though the new EU negotiation methodology does not introduce thematic changes in the negotiating framework with Montenegro in technical terms, it will be important for the improvement of the political dialogue with the EU.

According to her, given that we are on the threshold of the new EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, a new management structure must be formed for the use of IPA III pre-accession support funds.

“This is especially important for us to provide instruments for the use of funds from the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, worth nine billion euros. This is the amount the EC has earmarked for the region’s economic recovery, including the projects of transport and energy infrastructure, green economy, and digital transformation,” said Ms Kordić.

She emphasized that due to the specific negotiating framework that the EU has with Montenegro, Chapters 23 (justice and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom, and security) are the initiators of reforms and measures of the advancement of all negotiations.

“Unlike all other chapters, for which the European Commission immediately defined the closing benchmarks during their opening, in chapters 23 and 24 we have the task of fulfilling the so-called interim benchmarks. In 2021, the emphasis will be on obtaining a report on meeting the interim benchmarks, which The European Commission prepares and submits to the EU member states for adoption. This report should define the final criteria for these two chapters, which will give us clear guidelines for further reform processes in the rule of law,” Ms Kordić explained and added that in the coming months the efforts of all three branches of power would be key to meeting the remaining benchmarks.

EU legislation must be transposed by the end of 2023

Asked how realistic it is for the negotiations with the EU to be completed by the end of 2024, Ms Kordić said that Montenegro’s strategic goal of being the next EU member state must be emphasized and that we would introduce our country into the EU by the joint efforts of all segments of our society.

“In order to achieve this, and having in mind 2025 as a credible perspective for the membership, confirmed both in the strategic documents of the European Union on enlargement policy and in the expectation of the Enlargement Commissioner Mr Olivér Várhelyi that at least one candidate country will become a full member by then, we must make every effort to actually ensure by the end of 2023 that all the acquis communautaire be transposed into national legislation and institutions ready for its implementation,” Ms Kordić said.

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