Andrija Mandić, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, stated today that genuine reconciliation and democracy cannot be achieved without addressing the country’s totalitarian past.

His remarks came during the conference “The Future of European Union Enlargement – the Future is Now,” hosted by the Montenegrin Parliament in partnership with the Ministry for European Affairs.

Opposition MPs chose to boycott Mandić’s address and arrived only after he had concluded.

“We aim to tailor Montenegro to its citizens. Regarding our past, I appreciate the European Parliament members who advocated for the declassification of secret service archives from former Yugoslav republics to reveal the atrocities committed by the communist regime. I believe we should take cues from the best practices. Montenegro is prepared, and it is high time our partners recognize this,” Mandić asserted.

He noted that the future lies in the enlargement of the European Union (EU).

“Our gathering today affirms our collective political intent, especially when determination and will are essential. Montenegro stands as the most advanced candidate for EU membership. We have finalized four chapters, with six more set to close by year-end. This parliamentary majority is committed to closing all chapters in collaboration with the Government,” Mandić stated.

He expressed confidence that nobody doubts Montenegro’s ability to complete all necessary chapters.

“Currently, two ongoing processes exist: one regarding EU accession, supported by over 80% of citizens, and another intrapolitical process, which also targets the fight against organized crime. I appreciate the continued backing from the EU, as our progress doesn’t solely depend on us. This parliamentary majority and the constructive opposition are dedicated to the cause, yet the process hinges also on the member states. Enlargement is no longer mere ambition; it has become essential, and Montenegro stands ready to join the EU,” Mandić emphasized.

Šarec: Local elections should be held in one day to prevent self-indulgent politics

Marjan Šarec, EP Rapporteur for Montenegro, remarked that Montenegro is a “frontrunner” in the European integration journey, emphasizing the need to maintain resolve despite challenges.

“Opposition parties have also been part of this process. Montenegro is a credible European partner, where factors such as religion should be secondary to integrity and love for the country,” Šarec highlighted.

He stressed that the priorities are clear: tackling crime, pursuing judicial reforms, and upholding media freedom…

“Local elections should be conducted on a single day to ensure that politics remains focused and effective. Significant progress has been made in relations with Croatia, and dialogues are ongoing. I must stress that bilateral matters should not obstruct progress. It is unreasonable to expect Montenegro to bear the sole responsibility—the EU must do its part too. I wish everyone continued success, and may Montenegro endure,” Šarec said.

Gorčević: We are carefully reviewing all aspects of the resolution regarding Montenegro adopted by European parliamentarians

Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević expressed her enthusiasm today following the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, during which Montenegro closed Chapter 5 in its EU negotiations.

“A Europe that rewards effort stays true to its values. We are motivated by the clear commitment to recognizing the Western Balkans as a significant region. Upon forming the Government, our goal was to rebuild trust; institutions have become more agile. We have conducted four intergovernmental conferences and closed four chapters for the first time in seven years. We are meticulously examining all components of the resolution regarding Montenegro adopted by European parliamentarians,” Gorčević added.

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