Montenegro 2008 progress report. Commission staff working document.

Abstract

Since March 2002, the Commission has reported regularly to the Council and the Parliament on progress made by the countries of the Western Balkans region. Following Montenegro's independence in June 2006, the Commission issued progress reports dedicated entirely to Montenegro in 2006 and 2007. This report: –briefly describes relations between Montenegro and the Union; –analyses the political situation in Montenegro in terms of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, protection of minorities and regional issues; –analyses the economic situation in Montenegro; –reviews Montenegro's capacity to implement European standards, i.e. to gradually approximate its legislation and policies with the acquis, in line with a Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the European Partnership priorities.