Montenegro’s Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, spoke in an interview for EUpravo Zato about the key issues currently shaping the country's European path, underlining an ambitious plan to close negotiation chapters by the year-end.
Special focus was placed on the efficient use of funds from the EU Growth Plan and the first tranche of aid, which is an important incentive for the continuation of reforms.
In this context, the priorities of digital and green transitions were identified as strategic directions for development, while the implementation of the Reform Agenda is highlighted as one of the main challenges, especially due to the lack of professional staff in public administration.
Montenegro has opened all negotiation chapters and six have already been provisionally closed. What are the next steps?
"We are currently in a very dynamic phase of the process. The focus of the entire Government, but also of the Parliament and other institutions, is on closing a larger number of chapters by the end of the year. This is not just a political ambition – it is a realistic plan, aligned with the roadmap agreed upon with the European Commission. We are already working intensively on many chapters scheduled for closure in 2026, so we can reach the necessary internal readiness in time.
Every chapter we close requires the adoption of specific laws, consultations with EU partners, adoption by the Parliament, and progress evaluation by the Commission. As early as June, we expect a new Intergovernmental Conference – the first during Poland’s presidency of the EU Council – with the focus on closing specific chapters. The goal is clear: for Montenegro to be fully prepared for EU membership by the end of 2028."
The European Commission has already paid Montenegro the first tranche of support for implementing the Reform Agenda. What will this funding be specifically directed toward?
"The European Union has approved €26.8 million to Montenegro as pre-financing and the first payment under the Growth Plan, and this is just the first step. About €14 million from this tranche is allocated to energy infrastructure projects – a very concrete investment in our energy future through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
The remainder of the funds goes into the state budget as support for reforms, with flexibility to allocate them where they are most needed. This approach gives us the space to plan responsibly but also to respond quickly."
Digital and green transitions are particularly emphasised. What does that mean in practice?
"For the digital transition – we are working to provide citizens with efficient, fast, and modern e-government. The new eGovernment system, broadband network, and digital identity are key steps. Once all of this is up and running, people will be able to access a range of services simply and securely, without waiting or paperwork. That is a tangible benefit for every citizen. Regarding the green transition, the focus is on renewable energy sources, improved energy efficiency, and an electricity market that aligns with EU standards. Renovating public buildings, incentives for citizens and companies that want to switch to sustainable sources – these are reforms that affect our bills, our quality of life, and a healthy environment."
The Reform Agenda covers many areas. Where are the biggest challenges, and how are you overcoming them?
"Montenegro has proposed serious and financially demanding reforms that complement the reforms we are implementing within the negotiation process. In this way, the Reform Agenda not only brings us closer to the Growth Plan funds, but also gives us an additional incentive to speed up the negotiation process.
Through the Reform Agenda, we have identified 32 reform measures across 14 areas – a truly complex and ambitious undertaking. The biggest challenges, as expected, are in areas where we still lack enough expert staff, specialised knowledge, or where investments are inherently very expensive – such as infrastructure, digital transformation, or research and development.
But this is exactly where the logic of the Growth Plan makes sense. Reforms that don’t require large expenditures should generate savings, improve efficiency, and stimulate growth. That growth should then provide the foundation for financing those more expensive, but essential, measures. In other words – through smart priority management, we are investing in reforms that create room for even greater progress."
How involved are citizens and civil society in monitoring this process?
"I believe that European integration must not be a task reserved only for institutions – it is a process that concerns all citizens. That is why it is important for us in the Government of Montenegro to ensure that the European path is not pursued behind closed doors, but openly, transparently, and with the active involvement of all social actors – especially civil society organisations and the business community. From the beginning of our mandate, we have shown our commitment to involving the civil sector. Through the establishment of a series of Councils that include both government members and NGO representatives, regular consultations, public debates, and events, we have demonstrated that we not only value the opinion of civil society, but actively seek it.
We strive to convey a clear message: your voice matters and we want to hear it. We regularly publish information on the progress of negotiations, periodic reports, use digital platforms, and invest in strategic communication so that all citizens can understand, follow, and feel the benefits of the European path.
I am particularly pleased that Montenegro has been praised within the 'Reform Monitor' project, which tracks the implementation of Reform Agendas in the Western Balkans, as the only country in the region that transparently reports on the achievement of its Reform Agenda. This is a recognition that means a lot to us, as it shows that we are building a system that is responsible and open. Regarding the Growth Plan and the EU Reform Agenda, we are currently in the final stages of forming a Supervisory Board to monitor the implementation of the Reform Agenda, which will also include representatives from the NGO sector and civil society. As the Ministry of European Affairs, through strategic communication, we continue to build citizens' trust and create space for their greater involvement, as we know that without citizens there is no real European Montenegro."
Citizens often overlook what is actually changing in their daily lives through the European integration process. Can you explain what exactly are they already feeling?
"They are definitely feeling it. From major investments we have secured, such as €100 million for the construction of the second section of the motorway, to easier and cheaper international payments through access to the SEPA zone. The chapters we have already closed bring better protection of intellectual property rights, less bureaucracy for businesses, stronger cyber security measures... Our goal is for European integration not to remain an abstract concept, but for every citizen of Montenegro to see what EU membership actually means.
But most importantly, we are building a system where institutions function, rules are clear and equal for everyone, and people feel that progress is being made. It is indeed a slow process, but it is an investment in a modern, functional and fair state. And I am confident that we will seize that opportunity."
