NGO sector to support meeting Chapter 27 benchmarks

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić met today with representatives of several non-governmental organizations active in the field of environmental protection, with the aim of establishing close cooperation in meeting the benchmarks under negotiating Chapter 27.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Spajić recalled the plan to conclude the accession negotiations by the end of 2026, stressing that Montenegro faces a demanding task in which all support – particularly expert-driven input – is of great importance. The Prime Minister presented the Roadmap for Chapter 27, which defines Montenegro’s obligations for closing this negotiating chapter, and expressed the expectation that the NGO sector, through its experience and expertise, would provide strong support in meeting the required benchmarks.

The expertise and experience of the non-governmental sector, and especially your willingness to support the European integration process, are of exceptional importance for the state and will play a significant role in closing Chapter 27, the Prime Minister emphasized.

Representatives of the NGO sector pointed to a number of environmental challenges, underlining that education and prevention across multiple areas are key to establishing a sustainable system. In this context, they also stressed the need for stronger enforcement of penalty policies, as well as for staffing and logistical strengthening of inspection bodies and professional services responsible for law enforcement.

The meeting also addressed the need to align development projects with environmental protection requirements. It was assessed that environmental protection and economic development are not mutually exclusive, but complementary, and that Montenegro’s natural potential adds greater value to projects when they are implemented with full respect for environmental standards.

Given the relatively short timeframe and the need for action across multiple fronts, it was agreed to establish specialized working groups to contribute to more efficient cooperation and faster implementation of necessary measures.

It was also agreed that, in the coming days, concrete steps for future joint cooperation would be defined in coordination with Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development Damjan Ćulafić and Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević.

The meeting, held today at the Government of Montenegro, was attended by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević and Mayor of the Capital City Saša Mujović.