Montenegro’s progress toward closing Chapter 32 – Financial Control in its European Union accession negotiations confirms the country’s ability to apply the highest European standards in public finance management, according to Finance Minister Novica Vuković. The move represents a significant institutional milestone and signals that core reforms in financial oversight, audit, and fiscal governance have reached a level consistent with EU requirements.
Vuković emphasized that Chapter 32 is the third negotiation chapter under the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro to be brought to closure, underscoring that the reforms delivered are substantive rather than formal. He highlighted strengthened coordination among key institutions, including the State Audit Institution of Montenegro, the Audit Authority, and the Central Bank of Montenegro, which together form the backbone of the country’s financial control system.
A central pillar of the reform process has been the modernization of internal financial control across public institutions. This has included clearer allocation of responsibilities, stronger internal audit functions, and improved external oversight mechanisms. According to the Ministry of Finance, these measures have resulted in public funds being planned, allocated, and spent with a higher degree of control, materially reducing space for irregularities and strengthening accountability at all levels of public administration.
Government officials note that improved financial discipline and transparency are not only technical accession requirements but also practical tools for improving the quality and efficiency of public services. Stronger control systems are intended to ensure that budgetary resources are used in line with policy priorities, while providing citizens and international partners with greater confidence in the integrity of public finance management.
Progress under Chapter 32 also carries broader significance for Montenegro’s EU accession path, as financial control is closely linked to overall institutional credibility and fiscal sustainability. The successful closure of this chapter is presented by the authorities as evidence that Montenegro has developed the administrative capacity and governance culture required to implement and enforce complex EU rules in practice.
While several negotiation chapters remain open, the advancement and expected closure of Chapter 32 is viewed within government circles as a benchmark achievement. It reinforces Montenegro’s positioning as one of the more advanced EU candidates in the Western Balkans in the area of public finance governance and institutional oversight.
