European Commissioner for Accession Negotiations, Mr Olivér Várhelyi, says that the rule of law is one of the basic values of the European Union and a crucial element of the accession process, which determines the overall pace of Montenegro’s accession negotiations with the EU.
In response to a question from MEP, Ms Dominique Bilde, in relation to Maltese investments in Montenegro and accusations that there was corruption in those businesses, Mr Várhelyi stresses that the fight against corruption in Montenegro is a key goal of the accession process.
Referring to the Možura affair, which is in the focus of Maltese investments in Montenegro, he points out that there was no funding from the EU in the context of the Možura wind farm project.
“However, it is important to emphasize that EU project funding is managed in Montenegro, as elsewhere, all in line with a series of strict management and control procedures”, he stresses, among other things.
As for Malta, as he explains, the European Commission has condemned the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia (who investigated corruption in Montenegro) and is closely monitoring the latest developments in the investigation of her murder.
