Bečić meets with Slovenia’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Anžej Frangeš

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić met with Slovenia's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Anžej Frangeš, who is paying a two-day visit to Montenegro.

At the beginning of the meeting, Bečić emphasized that Montenegro appreciates Slovenia's continuous and strong support for the country's European path, highlighting that the partnership and open dialogue further strengthen reform momentum and regional stability.

Speaking about the European integration process, Bečić stressed that the focus of institutions is fully directed toward fulfilling obligations from the negotiation process.

The European agenda is today the central focus of the executive branch. At every Cabinet session, we systematically monitor the implementation of obligations under the negotiation chapters and interim benchmarks, which has resulted in a visibly accelerated pace and concrete positive progress. On the other hand, we are witnessing a historic fight by the state against organized crime. The state is striking hard every day, the number of fugitives from justice is decreasing, while the great panic and nervousness within criminal ranks are producing a rarely seen level of attacks and hybrid activities, accompanied by cowardice, monstrosity, and vileness. All of this only generates even greater motivation among all of us and professionals to bring this fight to an end, and for Montenegro to once and for all break with crime and those who serve it, Bečić stated.

He placed special emphasis on key Chapters 23 and 24, noting that significant results have been achieved in the previous period, including the adoption and improvement of key legislative solutions and the strengthening of institutional capacities.

A comprehensive Law on Weapons and Ammunition, harmonized with the European Commission, has been presented to the public and adopted by the Cabinet. We have opened modernized and upgraded facilities for the Special State Prosecutor's Office and the Special Police Department, and have strongly continued the personnel renewal of the security system. Through public calls alone, the system has been strengthened with several hundred highly educated professionals, alongside further expansion of the Police Academy's capacities and additional planned recruitment of new officers through new public calls, with the aim of staffing Montenegro's border crossings, which will soon become the external border of the EU, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

Bečić also pointed to the intensive modernization of the security sector's capacities, emphasizing that a record budget has been allocated this year for the Ministry of the Interior, aimed at digitalization, modern technologies, video surveillance, and strengthening border control.

Speaking about the legislative framework, Bečić recalled that important laws have already been adopted or are in procedure, including the Law on Foreigners, the Law on Internal Affairs, and the Law on Road Traffic Safety, while special attention is being given to improving criminal legislation and the efficiency of judicial proceedings.

The fight against organized crime requires not only strong institutions but also a modern and efficient normative framework. Therefore, priorities include improving the Criminal Procedure Code and the Criminal Code, as well as innovating the Law on the Confiscation of Assets Acquired through Criminal Activity, so that assets can be permanently seized, which represents one of the strongest blows against criminal groups, Bečić emphasized, adding that security challenges today are increasingly complex, including hybrid threats, which makes strengthening institutional resilience and full alignment with European standards all the more important.

Bečić assessed that Montenegro has a stable political environment and excellent momentum to round off its European achievements and the negotiation process in the coming period.

It is encouraging to hear the historic news from Brussels regarding the start of drafting Montenegro's EU Accession Treaty, for which we are immensely grateful, including to our traditional ally, Slovenia, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Slovenia's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Anžej Frangeš assessed that despite remaining challenges, Montenegro is making excellent progress on its European path and demonstrating clear commitment to the European agenda.

The interlocutors agreed that the continuation of reforms and the preservation of political stability are crucial for Montenegro's further progress, with a shared assessment that the European perspective remains the most important framework for the long-term stability and development of the region.