Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić welcomed Anžej Frangeš, Slovenia’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, during his farewell visit to Montenegro.

At the beginning of their discussion, Deputy Prime Minister Bečić expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Frangeš for his unwavering and sincere support of Montenegro’s European journey, alongside his significant contributions to strengthening relations between the two amicable nations. He acknowledged that no matter where Mr. Frangeš’s career takes him next, he will always be regarded as a dear friend of Montenegro.

Bečić highlighted that Montenegro’s progress is becoming increasingly apparent in various sectors, pointing out the unprecedented and determined efforts in combating illicit tobacco trade, drug trafficking, and all forms of organized crime. He stated that Montenegro is now recognized as a nation firmly dedicated to the rule of law, rather than one where institutions and senior officials are intertwined with criminal networks. That chapter belongs to a challenging past, he emphasized.

Reiterating the importance of institutional reform, Deputy Prime Minister Bečić noted that the vetting process stands as one of the country’s main priorities.

In the realms of security and defense, significant strides have already been made in enhancing integrity—with numerous suspensions, disciplinary actions, dismissals, and arrests. Eradicating compromised personnel and undue influences must be a unified effort among all institutions and branches of government. It lays the groundwork for a healthier and safer future for our country, he remarked.

As their meeting concluded, both sides reached a consensus that Montenegro requires a break from the frequent electoral cycles. They underscored the necessity of legislative reforms to consolidate local elections and synchronize them with the regular parliamentary elections in 2027. This would enable the country’s full institutional and societal potential to concentrate over the next two years on finalizing the remaining EU negotiation chapters and seizing the historic opportunity to successfully complete the accession process.