"Bečić emphasized that Montenegro appreciates Slovenia's continued strong support for our country's European path, emphasizing that partnership and open dialogue further strengthen the reform dynamics and stability of the region," the government said.
Speaking about the European integration process, Bečić emphasized that the focus of the institutions is fully directed towards fulfilling the obligations from the negotiation process.
"The European agenda is today the central topic of the executive branch's activities. At each Government session, we systematically monitor the implementation of obligations under negotiation chapters and interim benchmarks, which has resulted in a visibly accelerated dynamics and concrete positive steps forward. On the other hand, we are witnessing the state's historic fight against organized crime. The state is striking hard every day, the number of fugitives from justice is decreasing, and great panic and nervousness in criminal ranks is producing a rarely seen level of attacks and hybrid actions, accompanied by cowardice, monstrosity and disgust. All of this only creates even greater motivation in all of us and professionals to bring this fight to an end, and Montenegro will once and for all part with crime and its servants," said Bečić.
He placed special emphasis on key chapters 23 and 24, emphasizing that significant results have been achieved in the previous period, including the adoption and improvement of key legal solutions and the strengthening of institutional capacities.
"The Law on Weapons and Ammunition, which is comprehensive and harmonized with the European Commission, has been presented to the public and established by the Government, we have opened modern adapted capacities for the Special State Prosecutor's Office and the Special Police Department, and we have strongly continued the personnel renewal of the security system. Through public calls alone, the system has been strengthened by several hundred highly educated personnel, with additional expansion of the capacities of the Police Academy and further planned recruitment of new officers through new public calls, with the aim of staffing Montenegrin border crossings, which will soon become the external border of the EU," Bečić emphasized.
Bečić also pointed to the intensive modernization of the security sector's capacities, emphasizing that a record budget has been allocated for the Ministry of Internal Affairs this year, focused on digitalization, modern technologies, video surveillance, and strengthening border control.
Speaking about the legislative framework, Bečić recalled that important laws have already been adopted or are in the process, including the Law on Foreigners, the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on Road Traffic Safety, while special attention is being paid to improving criminal legislation and the efficiency of court proceedings.
"The fight against organized crime requires not only strong institutions, but also a modern and efficient normative framework. Therefore, the priorities are improving the Criminal Procedure Code, the Criminal Code, and innovating the Law on the Confiscation of Assets Acquired through Criminal Activity, so that assets can be permanently confiscated, which represents one of the most powerful blows against criminal groups," Bečić emphasized, adding that security challenges today are increasingly complex, including hybrid threats, which is why strengthening institutional resilience and full compliance with European standards is additionally important.
Bečić assessed that Montenegro has a stable political environment and excellent dynamics to complete its European successes and the negotiation process in the coming period.
"The historic news that arrived from Brussels is encouraging, regarding the start of drafting the Treaty on the Accession of Montenegro to the EU, for which we are immensely grateful to our traditional ally, Slovenia," Bečić emphasized.
Slovenia's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Anžej Frangeš, assessed that, despite remaining challenges, Montenegro is making excellent progress on its European path and is demonstrating a clear commitment to the European agenda.
The interlocutors agreed that continuing reforms and maintaining political stability are crucial for Montenegro's further progress, with a shared assessment that the European perspective remains the most important framework for the long-term stability and development of the region.
