Brunner commends Bečić and Šaranović for sincere efforts and achieved results

Joint statement by Aleksa Bečić, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, and Danilo Šaranović, Minister of the Interior

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić and Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović met with the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.

Commissioner Brunner emphasized his strong support for Montenegro and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing its accession to the European Union together with his team.

Deputy Prime Minister Bečić highlighted the progress and concrete results in accelerating Montenegro’s European integration path, noting the significant contribution of the Ministry of the Interior. Despite a difficult legacy, numerous systemic deficiencies, infiltration of criminal elements, insufficiently effective judicial proceedings, and other challenges, thanks to determined cooperation between the security sector, the prosecution, and our international partners—most notably EUROPOL—our results in fighting organized crime and purging the system of unlawful influences reflect Montenegro’s clear resolve to build strong institutions, dismantle criminal networks, and live its European future, Bečić stated.

He added that historic levels of resolved criminal cases, the number of prosecuted members of criminal groups and high-profile individuals, efforts against economic and environmental crime, and the dismantling of smuggling networks all support this commitment. Additionally, within the past four months, the campaign "Respect Life, Return the Weapons" resulted in 20% more weapons and 70% more ammunition being voluntarily returned than over the past ten years combined.

Bečić also noted that in recent months, over 100 police officers have been suspended, arrested, or otherwise prosecuted. Around 30 cases have been opened to examine the assets, income, and lifestyles of police officials—primarily senior management. A first-instance judgment has been delivered against a former Director of Police Directorate, while indictments have been confirmed against numerous high-ranking officials from the security, judiciary, and prosecutorial sectors, as well as other institutions from previous administrations.

Alongside these substantial achievements on our European path over the past year and a half—during which we transformed a period of stagnation into one of progress—we have adopted action plans for the closure of Chapters 23 and 24, further confirming our determination to maintain this pace. Within the action plan for Chapter 24, we have defined 62 objectives and 106 activities to be implemented over the next 18 months, with clearly assigned responsibilities and timelines, aiming for full EU membership by 2028, concluded Bečić.

Minister Šaranović emphasized the importance of the regulations currently in force, which provide for lifestyle checks of police officers, highlighting that over 100 officers have been suspended—specifically those involved in criminal activities. This is most clearly demonstrated by the impartial and determined efforts of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and the Police Directorate, he stated.

Commissioner Brunner concluded the meeting by congratulating Bečić and Šaranović on their sincere efforts and tangible results, underscoring that, what matters most at the end of the day are the results. He also welcomed the adoption of the new Strategy for the Fight Against Crime.