European Commission: No One Guarantees that Montenegro Will Enter EU Before Serbia

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European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero said on Jan. 7 that there "are no guarantees" that Montenegro would enter the EU before Serbia.

Asked which country was the closest to membership, was it Montenegro, Pisonero told the Podgorica Vijesti that Montenegro and Serbia were negotiating with the EU.

"Montenegro has opened 32 of 35 chapters, of which 3 are temporarily closed, while Serbia has succeeded so far in opening 18 of which two are temporarily closed. The pace truly depends on the progress that states achieve in harmony with EU rules and their conducting of critical reforms, including the area of rule of law, reforms of the judiciary and fighting corruption, which are the focus of the enlargement process," she said.

Pisonero stressed that all "partners" in the Western Balkans needed to show their strong resolve in conducting reforms that would enable them to advance to the EU.

"Montenegro has made progress in the EU's reform program, but it is important that its entire rule of law system brings more results. We need it to boost its results in fighting corruption and organized crime and improve the situation in the area of freedom of the  press," she said.