Budgetary control MEPs conclude mission to Montenegro and Albania

A delegation from the Committee on Budgetary Control, led by the Chair Niclas Herbst, has concluded a mission to Montenegro and Albania, reviewing safeguards in place to protect EU funds.

MEPs assessed the set-up and initial functioning of the new control and audit mechanisms put in place under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans (RGF), intended to ensure the sound financial management of EU funds.

After the visit, Mr Herbst said: “The RGF is a historic opportunity for the Western Balkans, but its success depends on credibility and strong governance. During missions to Montenegro and Albania, we assessed whether the foundations for sound financial management, independent audit, and a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption are in place. Montenegro remains a frontrunner, yet both countries have advanced in aligning their legal and institutional frameworks with EU standards, particularly in rule of law, fight against organised crime, asset recovery and confiscation and anti-money laundering. Discussions with ministries of finance and RGF coordinators confirmed that mechanisms for internal control and audit are established and functioning.

Still, serious concerns remain about how RGF funds will be used. Challenges include entrenched corruption, organised crime, procurement risks with chronic infrastructure delays, politically pressured oversight bodies, weak judicial follow-up with overloaded courts, marginalisation of civil society, past fund misuses in Albania, and Montenegro’s overreliance on tourism and real estate.The path from adopting EU rules to building a culture of accountability is long. We are confident that in the next two to three years, Montenegro and Albania will show tangible results by dedicating resources to enforcement, ensuring judicial and audit independence, and enabling civil society participation. The European Parliament will closely monitor implementation, as the credibility of the EU enlargement process itself is at stake.”

Background

The visit took place on 16-18 September. In Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, MEPs met the Chair of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget of the Montenegrin Parliament, Ministry of Finance representatives and Supreme State Prosecutor, and representatives of the country’s State Audit Institution. They also visited the Development Bank of Montenegro.

In Tirana, the capital of Albania, they also met government representatives and officials in charge of managing and protecting EU funds, civil society representatives, and visited an EU-funded project site.