Montenegro is back in the spotlight, but not for a spectacular success. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos celebrated closing the seventh negotiation chapter in Montenegro’s EU accession process – the chapter on public procurement. Yes, you read that right, only seven out of 33 chapters have been closed, with the goal to close all by the end of the year. Spajić claims this is an “important step” and that Montenegro remains a leading candidate for EU membership, but civil society and critics are far from convinced.
Why is the public procurement chapter so important? Because it’s one of the toughest and most demanding chapters, covering nearly one billion euros in annual contracts. Transparency and anti-corruption are key, and Spajić insists that tenders are the most transparent part of the economy. However, critics say closing just one chapter is nowhere near the ambitious pace promised, and the result is way below expectations.
Zvezdana Kovač, communications director at the Center for Civic Education, warns that messages before the intergovernmental conference were more cautious, indicating problems in negotiations. Montenegro has been in the EU accession process since 2012, and now it seems the pace has slowed and the path to membership is longer than it appeared.
Is this really a “big step” or just another political show? Will Montenegro actually become an EU member by the end of the year, or is it just wishful thinking? While politicians boast, citizens and civil society remain skeptical.
Got thoughts on this “success”? Want to share your frustrations? Drop a comment and join the conversation. Maybe it’s time we all ask – where is Montenegro really on the road to the EU, and what’s really coming? Who knows, maybe someone will finally give us a straight answer. Until then, keep your fingers crossed and watch those “big steps.” Or not?
