Montenegro continues its negotiations on accession to the European Union, with a growing number of provisionally closed negotiating chapters. However, in light of the new negotiation methodology adopted in 2020, a key question arises – to what extent does this progress truly reflect the real state of reforms?

The new methodology has introduced significant changes: negotiations are now organized into thematic clusters, with a special focus on the rule of law as the foundation of the entire process. The principle of reversibility has also been introduced, allowing the process to be paused or even reversed in the event of backsliding in reforms.

In this context, Chapters 23 and 24 become crucial for further progress. Although the normative framework is important, the real challenge remains its implementation in practice. Institutions responsible for the fight against corruption and strengthening the rule of law continue to face limited capacities – in terms of staff, finances, and technical resources.

Without strengthening these institutions, even the highest-quality laws remain without full effect.

This video analyzes where Montenegro currently stands in the process of European integration and raises a fundamental question: are we progressing only formally, or also substantively?

This video was created as part of the project “Raise Your Voice: For a Corruption-Free Montenegro,” implemented by CeMI with the support of the INL Office of the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica. The production of this video was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this work are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Government.