The CEFTA agreements and the Common Regional Market are essential components of regional cooperation and the national reform agenda, as discussed in the roundtable titled “Improving Regional Cooperation 2.0: Montenegro and CEFTA – eight months after signing.”

Jadranka Kaluđerović, Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Projections (ISSP), which hosted the roundtable, underscored the importance of institutional transparency and public dialogue in transforming regional agreements into meaningful reforms for citizens and the economy.

During her remarks at the European House in Podgorica, she stressed the necessity for enhanced inter-institutional coordination and a more inclusive environment for civil society’s involvement in all stages of implementation.

This event was one of six held in the capitals of SEE6 countries from May 21 to 29, aimed at monitoring the progress in implementing the CEFTA agreements adopted last October and supporting the region toward deeper EU integration under the Common Regional Market Agenda (CRM) and the Berlin Process.

Sara Pilbim, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Podgorica and representative of this year’s Berlin Process Summit host country, highlighted Montenegro’s ongoing commitment to stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans through deeper economic integration and the full implementation of CRM and CEFTA measures.

The panel discussion titled “Institutional Capacities of Montenegro for CEFTA Agreement Implementation” included a variety of stakeholders, such as Marko Mandić from the CEFTA Secretariat, Anja Tuševljak from the Customs Administration of Montenegro, and Ardian Hakaj from the Institute for Cooperation and Development.

Panelists reviewed achievements thus far while also identifying crucial challenges, such as the fragmentation of responsibilities where some agreements are implemented by a single ministry, whereas others need coordination among multiple ministries and agencies, often lacking clearly defined mandates.

“Frequent structural changes in public administration, including the merging or splitting of ministries, along with high staff turnover, present ongoing challenges as they disrupt continuity, slow down reform processes, and require the re-establishment of institutional memory and coordination,” the statement noted.

Lengthy inter-ministerial consultations and complicated ratification processes continue to pose obstacles, coupled with limited access to timely and accessible information.

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program is an example illustrating how businesses could benefit from expedited customs procedures across the region, provided that implementation delays are addressed.

Participants emphasized the importance of continuing such dialogues to ensure ongoing transparent discussions, information exchange, and monitoring of the commitments made via similar formats.

This event is part of the broader initiative, “Channeling SEE6 Civil Society Contributions to the Common Regional Market and the Berlin Process,” which ISSP is implementing alongside CDI and regional partners, with support from the German Foreign Ministry.

The initiative aims to foster inclusive policymaking and enhance public participation in regional economic integration and alignment with the EU.

The roundtable in Podgorica took place in anticipation of the 11th Tirana Connectivity Forum and the upcoming Berlin Process Summit in the United Kingdom.

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