Montenegro EU accession stalled by corruption concerns

Nebojša Medojević, president of the Movement for Changes, has stated that Montenegro will be unable to close negotiation chapters 23 and 24 regarding the judiciary and fundamental rights without a legal resolution to the Telekom affair. He noted that Brussels has repeatedly warned the Montenegrin government that addressing high-level corruption is a prerequisite for European integration.

Medojević suggested that the European Union may implement enhanced monitoring of the Montenegrin Prosecutor's Office regarding high-level corruption cases involving state officials. He claimed that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić is concerned about specific cases that he alleges are being withheld by Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović. Medojević warned that increasing pressure regarding these cases is causing growing nervousness among ministers and within the prosecution as the deadline for closing negotiation chapters approaches.