Montenegro has not only met the formal requirements of the European Commission (EC) for closing Chapter 5 on public procurement but fundamentally changed its public procurement system, said Jelena Jovetić, head of the working group for this chapter. She emphasized the importance of having a trusted, transparent system managing public funds.
Sašo Matas, Director of the Public Procurement Directorate in Slovenia, noted that Chapter 5 is one of the most crucial in EU accession talks, significantly impacting other negotiation chapters. He explained that public procurement accounts for about 15% of the EU’s GDP, reflecting its importance in the internal market.
Jovetić explained that Montenegro’s approach shifted from viewing public procurement merely as a fiscal category—focused on careful spending of taxpayers’ money—to recognizing it as an economic mechanism requiring transparency, competition, and efficient use of €700–800 million spent annually.
The reforms included adopting new laws, establishing an electronic procurement system for submitting bids and complaints, and building human and institutional capacity for oversight. This digitalization has increased competition and accountability.
Closing Chapter 5, part of the Rule of Law cluster, is symbolic of Montenegro’s commitment to anti-corruption policies and fighting abuses in the procurement system. Jovetić highlighted that the new framework covers the entire procurement cycle—from tender announcements to contract execution—with strengthened controls.
Matas praised Montenegro’s progress, particularly digitalization efforts, which reduce corruption and costs while increasing value for money. He emphasized ongoing challenges: maintaining trust, professionalizing officials, and adapting to upcoming EU directives, as the legal framework will continue evolving.
Both Jovetić and Matas agree that closing Chapter 5 marks a significant milestone but signals the beginning of continuous reforms to align Montenegro’s public procurement with EU standards, ensuring transparent, efficient use of public funds and benefiting citizens and businesses alike.
