Đeka: Brussels has supported Montenegro’s initiative for observer status in the Fundamental Rights Agency - relations with Croatia an important step toward the goal

Montenegro is still awaiting observer status in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Expectations were that this would happen by the end of last year, but it has not yet occurred. Among the countries of the region, Albania and North Macedonia currently hold observer status.

As Minister of Human and Minority Rights Fatmir Đeka told Portal ETV, Montenegro launched an institutional initiative at the end of 2024 to obtain observer status in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), headquartered in Vienna. This initiative has received strong political and institutional support within the European Union, particularly in the context of negotiations under Chapters 23 and 24.

A key political signal from Brussels

At a session of the EU-Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), held in Brussels in November 2024, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Olivier Röpke openly called on Montenegro to join the FRA as an observer.

- Montenegro, as a frontrunner in negotiations with the European Union, should become an observer in the Fundamental Rights Agency - Röpke said, stressing the importance of the rule of law, good neighbourly relations, and the protection of minority rights.

Institutional steps taken by Montenegro

• 29 November 2024 - Montenegro’s Mission to the EU in Brussels submits a proposal for observer membership in the FRA.

• 3 December 2024 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Directorate General for the European Union, formally forwards a letter regarding the initiative.

• 23 December 2024 - The Ministry of Human and Minority Rights confirms its support for the initiative and announces concrete steps.

- We will undertake all necessary measures and activities to achieve this goal - Minister Đeka said in a statement to the ETV Portal.

What would observer status specifically mean for Montenegro?

Observer status in the FRA would enable Montenegro to:

• become involved at an early stage in mechanisms for monitoring the state of human rights in the European Union,

• gain access to expert analyses and recommendations in the areas of combating discrimination, minority rights, gender equality, and access to justice,

• provide additional momentum to reform processes under Chapters 23 and 24,

• strengthen Montenegro’s credibility as a Western Balkans leader in the EU enlargement process.

- Observer status would confirm our clear commitment to European values and provide additional institutional support for reforms - Minister Đeka told Portal ETV.

Good neighbourly relations and regional significance

One important aspect of this initiative is the improvement of good neighbourly relations, particularly with Croatia, especially in matters concerning the status of the Croatian minority and issues of justice.

- This is a platform that enables open dialogue and the addressing of sensitive issues in line with European standards - the minister emphasized.

In addition to all EU member states, observer status in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights is already held by Albania, North Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.