EESC President statement on Montenegro EU accession progress

I welcome the decision by European Union Ambassadors to establish a Council Working Party tasked with drafting the Accession Treaty with Montenegro and congratulate Montenegro for this important milestone. This represents both a recognition of progress and an incentive to accelerate reforms.

The EESC is a firm supporter of EU enlargement and remains fully committed to continuing our support to Montenegro's accession path.   

This landmark decision will be among the key topics discussed at the 22nd meeting of the EU–Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee to be held in Podgorica on 24 April, bringing together representatives of organised civil society from Montenegro and the EU.  

I look forward to visiting Montenegro in the second part of the year, in connection with the country visit of the EESC Permanent Group for Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law. This visit further underlines the importance of dialogue, democratic standards and the rule of law in Montenegro's accession process.