The Ministry of European Affairs today organized consultations with NGOs on the topic of action plans for meeting the final benchmarks in negotiating chapters 23 and 24. The event brought together representatives from the Government, the negotiating structure, and the civil sector, providing a space for transparent and constructive exchange of opinions on key reforms in the rule of law area.
Participants were addressed by Dr. Predrag Zenović, Chief Negotiator, Jelena Grdinić, Negotiator for Cluster 1 and Head of the Negotiating Working Group for Chapter 23, and Jovana Mijović, Head of the Negotiating Working Group for Chapter 24.
Chief Negotiator Zenović emphasized that the common goal is to strengthen public administration efforts in the rule of law area through open dialogue and constructive proposals from NGOs, as well as to ensure broader societal consensus on the most important social issues. He informed that the action plans for Chapters 23 and 24 precisely define all activities necessary to fulfill the commitments under these chapters, which are the backbone of the entire negotiation process with the EU.
“Care was taken to align the recommendations from the EU Common Position containing the final benchmarks with the obligations arising from the European Commission’s Report on Montenegro, Montenegro’s Reform Agenda 2024-2027, the Montenegro EU Accession Program (PPCG), and other communications with the European side,” he explained.
The Chief Negotiator informed that the action plans are expected to be adopted by the Government, with their implementation monitored on a semi-annual basis, and stressed that the obligations stipulated by the final benchmarks in these and other chapters must be met by the end of 2026.
He announced that drafts of the action plans for the implementation of final benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 will be discussed within the Rule of Law Council, the highest political body that guides the EU integration process in this area.
“The deadline is ambitious, but we believe it is achievable if all societal actors in all spheres come together around a common goal,” he assessed.
Jelena Grdinić, Negotiator for Cluster 1 and Head of the Negotiating Working Group for Chapter 23, stated that a series of thematic meetings were held during the development of the action plans, with all members of the working groups, including representatives from the NGO sector, attending. She emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach in the drafting of these strategic acts to ensure broader social consensus and expressed openness for further consultations with the civil sector.
Jovana Mijović, Head of the Negotiating Working Group for Chapter 24, reminded participants of the importance of cooperation with the civil sector in Chapter 24 and stated that this is the right moment for NGOs to actively engage in the development of action plans. Commenting on the short deadlines set in the action plans, she reminded everyone of the Government’s determination to make Montenegro the 28th EU member by 2028.
The focus of the discussion was on activities leading to the fulfillment of remaining obligations in these chapters and thus further progress for Montenegro in the EU integration process.
Civil sector representatives assessed the action plans as ambitious and recognized the need for organizing thematic meetings to achieve better progress. The discussion also covered improving communication and the treatment of people with disabilities.
NGO representatives were particularly interested in the Strategy for Deinstitutionalization, as well as several key laws, including the Law on Financing Political Parties and Election Campaigns, the Law on Data Protection, the Law on Preventing Corruption, the Law on Salaries in the Judiciary, the Law on Criminal Procedure, the Law on Juvenile Delinquency, and the Police Administration Staffing Plan.
Today’s consultations with the civil sector were also an opportunity for an exchange of views on reforms in the area of restitution, with an emphasis on the need to professionalize commissions dealing with this issue.
Representatives from the Institute Alternative, NGO Restitution, the Association of Displaced Roma and Egyptians from Kosovo in Montenegro, Human Rights Action, the Spectra Association, the Civil Alliance, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, NGO Master, NGO 35mm, the Blind Union of Montenegro, Fors Montenegro, Mensa, the Association of Young People with Disabilities, CRNVO, and CEMI participated in the consultations.
To more effectively involve the NGO sector, participants were invited to send their suggestions and feedback via email at svetlana.rajkovic@mep.gov.me within the next 15 days.