Montenegro has concluded negotiations on Chapter 32 (Financial Control) at the Intergovernmental Conference with the European Union in Brussels. This chapter focuses on the adoption and implementation of international standards for internal financial control, external auditing, and EU best practices, ensuring fiscal discipline and transparency in the use of public funds.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos underlined the importance of closing Chapter 32, noting that Montenegro has now closed 13 negotiating chapters and is pursuing a steady path toward EU membership.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that the closure of this chapter is an important step in the country’s reform process, making it more resilient and committed to sound public funds management.

The Government of Montenegro emphasized that progress on Chapter 32 demonstrates the European Union’s confidence in the ability of Montenegrin institutions to protect the financial interests of both the state and the EU. This step brings the country closer to meeting the final standards of Cluster 1 of EU chapters, which includes Chapters 23, 24, and statistics.

Chapter 32 (Financial Control) concerns the adoption of internationally accepted standards in the areas of public internal financial control, external audit, and EU best practices, as well as their implementation across the entire public sector, including fiscal discipline and transparency in the use of national and EU funds.

By closing Chapter 32, Montenegro has taken another significant step toward fulfilling the final standards required to close Cluster 1, which includes the key Chapters 23 and 24, as well as the statistics chapter, forming the foundation of the entire accession negotiation process.