Hahn: The focus needs to be on the fight against crime and corruption

He said that Montenegro has made progress in meeting the initial criteria in several chapters.

Hahn said that although it is early to predict exactly how many chapters will be opened this year, it can be expected that, on the basis of the work that Montenegro has done so far, the chapters will be opened under the chairmanship of the Netherlands and Slovakia.

“This is, of course, subject to the decision of the Member States in the Council. At the same time, we should not forget that any progress in the opening of chapters depends on progress in the rule of law”, said Hahn to agency MINA.

He could not comment on individual cases when it comes to the latest arrests in Montenegro.

“But it is clear that now, when appropriate laws and institutions for the fight against organized crime and corruption in Montenegro are ready, focus is on strengthening the balance sheet of achievements, and on investigations, prosecutions and final judgments”, Hahn said.

He said that the rule of law remains the focus of attention of the European Commission, as well as the attention of Montenegro.

“Chapter relating to the environment and climate change poses a particular challenge for Montenegro. I also expect progress in the area of competition policy during this year. Montenegro is generally faced with the challenge of ensuring adequate administrative capacity”, Hahn said.

According to him, when it comes to accession to the European Union (EU), it is not only about the challenges, but also opportunities for Montenegrin citizens and companies .

“For example, compliance with EU standards in the field of food safety and the environment will bring people in Montenegro concrete benefits through better quality of food they eat and the air they breathe”.

“I expect that the results of legal, administrative and economic reforms that are underway in Montenegro become more and more visible in this year”, Hahn said.

When it comes to boycott of the Parliament from one part of the opposition, he said that the EU repeatedly stated that all efforts to end the boycott are welcome, and that the solution for this situation must come from Montenegro.

“I support the initiative of The President of Parliament Ranko Krivokapić to bring together the parties to find a solution to the current situation. I am convinced that parliamentary dialogue is the best way forward when it comes to this”, Hahn said.

He believes that the NATO decision to invite Montenegro into membership is the recognition for Montenegro’s efforts in reforms.

“The country now needs to ensure that this progress continues, in particular by building compelling balance of the results achieved in the field of rule of law, which is crucial for the accession negotiations with the EU”, said Hahn. 

He said that the chapter 27 has traditionally been one of the most challenging in the accession process to the majority of Member States.

“The fulfillment of EU standards in this field requires not only legal alignment and administrative capacity, but significant investments in infrastructure and equipment for environmental protection, all of which certainly takes time”, Hahn said.

That does not only refer to air quality, but also to waste management, water quality, nature protection and climate action.

“Montenegro must make a good plan on how it intends to meet these standards”, Hahn said.

The first step sought by EU from Montenegro was to develop a comprehensive national strategy with the action plan, which will serve as the basis for the transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis in the field of environment and climate change.

“Work on the strategy is ongoing and when completed will serve to identify the key challenges for which Montenegro will have to undertake additional efforts”, Hahn said.

On the occasion of the opening of the first chapters in the negotiations between Serbia and the EU, he said that every country must have its own plan of preparations for accession.

“In the EU, we negotiate with states on the basis of merit. This means that the pace of negotiations is determined by progress of each candidate country in meeting the accession criteria”, Hahn said. He said that Montenegro has made progress in meeting the initial criteria in several chapters.

Hahn said that although it is early to predict exactly how many chapters will be opened this year, it can be expected that, on the basis of the work that Montenegro has done so far, the chapters will be opened under the chairmanship of the Netherlands and Slovakia.

“This is, of course, subject to the decision of the Member States in the Council. At the same time, we should not forget that any progress in the opening of chapters depends on progress in the rule of law”, said Hahn to agency MINA.

He could not comment on individual cases when it comes to the latest arrests in Montenegro.

“But it is clear that now, when appropriate laws and institutions for the fight against organized crime and corruption in Montenegro are ready, focus is on strengthening the balance sheet of achievements, and on investigations, prosecutions and final judgments”, Hahn said.

He said that the rule of law remains the focus of attention of the European Commission, as well as the attention of Montenegro.

“Chapter relating to the environment and climate change poses a particular challenge for Montenegro. I also expect progress in the area of competition policy during this year. Montenegro is generally faced with the challenge of ensuring adequate administrative capacity”, Hahn said.

According to him, when it comes to accession to the European Union (EU), it is not only about the challenges, but also opportunities for Montenegrin citizens and companies .

“For example, compliance with EU standards in the field of food safety and the environment will bring people in Montenegro concrete benefits through better quality of food they eat and the air they breathe”.

“I expect that the results of legal, administrative and economic reforms that are underway in Montenegro become more and more visible in this year”, Hahn said.

When it comes to boycott of the Parliament from one part of the opposition, he said that the EU repeatedly stated that all efforts to end the boycott are welcome, and that the solution for this situation must come from Montenegro.

“I support the initiative of The President of Parliament Ranko Krivokapić to bring together the parties to find a solution to the current situation. I am convinced that parliamentary dialogue is the best way forward when it comes to this”, Hahn said.

He believes that the NATO decision to invite Montenegro into membership is the recognition for Montenegro’s efforts in reforms.

“The country now needs to ensure that this progress continues, in particular by building compelling balance of the results achieved in the field of rule of law, which is crucial for the accession negotiations with the EU”, said Hahn. 

He said that the chapter 27 has traditionally been one of the most challenging in the accession process to the majority of Member States.

“The fulfillment of EU standards in this field requires not only legal alignment and administrative capacity, but significant investments in infrastructure and equipment for environmental protection, all of which certainly takes time”, Hahn said.

That does not only refer to air quality, but also to waste management, water quality, nature protection and climate action.

“Montenegro must make a good plan on how it intends to meet these standards”, Hahn said.

The first step sought by EU from Montenegro was to develop a comprehensive national strategy with the action plan, which will serve as the basis for the transposition, implementation and enforcement of the acquis in the field of environment and climate change.

“Work on the strategy is ongoing and when completed will serve to identify the key challenges for which Montenegro will have to undertake additional efforts”, Hahn said.

On the occasion of the opening of the first chapters in the negotiations between Serbia and the EU, he said that every country must have its own plan of preparations for accession.

“In the EU, we negotiate with states on the basis of merit. This means that the pace of negotiations is determined by progress of each candidate country in meeting the accession criteria”, Hahn said.