Montenegro’s Managerial Community Deepens Engagement in the EU Accession Process
Montenegro’s accession to the European Union has received another strong signal of support from the country’s organised business community. The Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro and the Association of Managers of Montenegro (AMM) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation designed to give managers and companies a more structured role in the final stage of the country’s European integration process.
The agreement, signed by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević and AMM President Budimir Raičković, creates a framework for closer cooperation between public institutions and the business sector in areas including leadership development, managerial skills, European governance standards and preparation for EU membership.
The Memorandum foresees a broad programme of joint activities, including conferences, expert meetings and educational initiatives dedicated to European policies and the acquis communautaire. Exchanges with European partners and the dissemination of best practices in management and governance will also feature prominently in the cooperation agenda.
Particular attention will be paid to raising awareness among businesses about European funding opportunities and programmes, encouraging joint project initiatives and strengthening dialogue between institutions and employers. The development of competencies required for the effective application of European standards after accession is another key objective.
The working meeting also brought together representatives of the Association of Managers of Montenegro, including Executive Director Anđela Radosavović, Chair of the Digital Transformation Committee Vladan Tabaš, Chair of the Committee on AI and Advanced Technologies Ivan Šoć, and Member of the Presidency Dušan Radusinović.
Maxime Legrand, President of CEC European Managers congratulated our Montenegrin colleagues.
It is encouraging to see public institutions and the management community working together to support Montenegro’s European path.
Maxime Legrand
President CEC European Managers
This agreement marks an important step in Montenegro’s European journey. AMM has been one of the most active and committed members of the European managers’ organisation, consistently promoting Montenegro’s full integration into the European Union.
CEC European Managers has supported this ambition for many years, disseminating and distributing official communication statements and voicing Montenegro’s role in Europe in our meetings in Brussels.
CEC is convinced that the participation of leaders and managers is indispensable to a successful accession process.
European integration requires political commitment, economic preparedness and strong leadership within society. The new partnership between the Ministry of European Affairs and AMM places Montenegro’s managers in a position to contribute directly to that effort and reinforces the country’s determination to complete its path towards membership of the European Union.
Steps towards joining the European Union: Social Dialogue is essential
The process of joining the European Union is a gradual, merit-based process consisting of three main stages: obtaining candidate status, conducting accession negotiations, and completing accession.
Once a country is granted candidate status by unanimous agreement of all EU Member States, it enters detailed negotiations covering the full body of EU law (the acquis), alongside reforms to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, public administration, and the economy.
Progress is assessed chapter by chapter through a screening process, and negotiations advance only when agreed benchmarks are met.
Having a strong and well-developed Social Dialogue system, with recognised social partners is mandatory if a country wants to join the EU. AMM is playing this role in Montenegro.
When all chapters are successfully closed, an Accession Treaty is negotiated, signed, and ratified by both the candidate country and every EU Member State before membership takes effect.
For the Western Balkans, this process is supported by the Stabilisation and Association Process, which promotes political stability, regional cooperation, economic development, and gradual alignment with EU standards as countries progress towards eventual membership.
- You can find more information here: Steps towards joining the EU [+]
