We have repeatedly stated that the adoption of the Report on the Evaluation of the Fulfillment of Interim Benchmarks, known as the IBAR, marks a significant milestone on Montenegro’s journey toward EU integration. However, these benchmarks are intended to be interim, as announced by the European Union today.

“They affirm that we have officially met certain criteria and pave the way for phases that are considerably more serious, demanding tangible and evident outcomes that cannot be masked by typical euphemisms, phrases, or platitudes,” the statement indicated.

According to their assessment, the current government acknowledged that nearly 80 percent of the benchmarks were met prior to 2020.

“The approach taken by Milojko Spajić’s government, formally, and Andrija Mandić’s, in substance, in managing the processes post-IBAR is clearly outlined in the Non-Paper issued by the European Commission (EC). It highlights that this government is unlikely to fulfill its responsibilities and close all chapters,” the statement underscores.

The European Union remarked that diplomatic press conferences and pleasantries following high-level meetings reflect nothing more than the government’s self-deception and its misleading of citizens with “ambitious but achievable goals.” The document outlines our current standing transparently.

“Under the ‘regatta principle’, Albania is swiftly gaining ground, and it is increasingly noted outside official discussions that the atmosphere surrounding Albania’s progress toward EU accession is significantly more optimistic, whereas enthusiasm for Montenegro is diminishing. We still have the opportunity to be the ‘first next member’; however, a drastic shift is urgently required both at home and in Brussels, along with a genuinely pro-European, civic, and patriotic government fully dedicated to reforms and EU integration. We must not squander another generation of Montenegrin citizens’ aspirations for EU citizenship on failed initiatives like those of the previous three administrations. We hope our Western allies ultimately recognize this,” the statement concludes.

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