Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Montenegro will close Negotiating Chapter 32 – Financial Control on Monday at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels.

Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic said after the Cabinet meeting that this was very good news for Montenegro.

“With a strong tailwind, we are entering the most important year of our integration path,” Gorcevic said.

She explained that Chapter 32 – Financial Control is related to the adoption of internationally accepted standards in the fields of public internal financial control, external audit and EU best practices, and their application across the entire public sector, as well as discipline and transparency in the use of national and EU funds.

Gorcevic pointed to the very positive approach of Cyprus, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, noting that by scheduling the Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro as early as January, Cyprus has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the goal of Montenegro’s EU membership by 2028.

The Government stated that the closing of Chapter 32 – Financial Control marks an important step forward for Montenegro on its path toward EU membership and a clear signal of the trust the Union has in the ability of Montenegrin institutions to protect the financial interests of both Montenegro and the EU, and to manage public funds responsibly and transparently.