In Brussels, the Intergovernmental Conference between Montenegro and the European Union concluded, during which negotiating Chapter 32 – Financial Control was closed, and during which a large number of Member States called for the formation of a Working Group to draft the Accession Treaty with Montenegro.
On the occasion of the closing of Chapter 32, in his address to representatives of the Member States, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that the robust system of public internal financial control is fully aligned with European standards, and that strong financial control has evolved from aspiration to reality, which, as he emphasized, demonstrates Montenegro’s ability to protect both national and future financial interests of the European Union.
In his address to the participants of the Intergovernmental Conference, the Prime Minister stated that with the temporary closing of Chapter 32 and the continuation of monitoring and strengthening financial control ahead of full membership, Montenegro clearly demonstrates the political choice to base accession on reliability, integrity, responsibility, and the rule of law. “During the past 13 years of negotiations, strong financial control has evolved from aspiration to reality,” the Prime Minister said, adding that in previous years Montenegro established a “robust system of public internal financial control, fully aligned with European standards.”
Spajić emphasized that the process of closing the chapter goes beyond “mere formal alignment” and reflects a genuine change in the culture of managing, protecting, and recording public funds. Along these lines, the Prime Minister pointed to the role of the State Audit Institution, which, as he stated, functions as a strong, independent, and credible guardian of public finances. “Its work is transparent, its findings are taken seriously, and parliamentary oversight is active and effective,” the Prime Minister said, noting that this is also a clear demonstration of Montenegro’s ability to protect both national and future financial interests of the European Union.
The Prime Minister reminded that Montenegro has established effective mechanisms for coordination in the fight against fraud, ensured strong inter-institutional cooperation, and strengthened the system with protective measures, transparency, and control mechanisms “designed to reduce risk, not transfer it.”
Source: gov.me