At the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Montenegro closed five chapters in the negotiations on its accession to the European Union, representing one of the country’s most important steps forward on its European path.
The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, said that the closure of five chapters is a great success for the country and a clear signal that the goal of fully concluding negotiations is achievable.
“We are very happy with the results we have achieved. The closure of five chapters is excellent news for Montenegro and its European aspirations, but also a confirmation that it is realistic to close all chapters by the end of 2026,” said Spajic.
At a press conference, on behalf of the EU Presidency, Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre specified that chapters 3 – Right of establishment and freedom to provide services, 4 – Free movement of capital, 6 – Trade law, 11 – Agriculture and rural development and 13 – Fisheries have been closed.
She emphasized that this is a major step forward in relations between Montenegro and the EU, appreciating the political commitment and progress achieved.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said that Montenegro has never been closer to the European Union, describing today’s closing of chapters as a clear sign of great progress. She stressed that the coming year will be key and decisive but warned that Montenegro still has a lot of work to do, especially in the area of ​​strengthening the rule of law.
“The EU will support Montenegro in every step towards full membership,” Kos said.
Prime Minister Spajic added that Montenegro has so far closed more than a third of the negotiation chapters, making it the most advanced candidate in the last 16 years.
He thanked EU member states, especially France, for their support and insistence on high standards, emphasizing that Montenegro is showing seriousness and maturity in the integration process.
Montenegro began EU accession negotiations on 29 June 2012 and has so far opened all 33 chapters.
The government’s goal is to close all remaining chapters so that the country is ready for EU membership in 2028.
Following today’s conference, Montenegro could enter the next, potentially decisive, year with a total of 12 closed chapters, with the ambition to exceed 20 by the end of 2026 and meet all conditions for completing the accession process.
Montenegro has fulfilled all the conditions for closing Chapter 31 (foreign, security and defence policy), but the decision on this was previously postponed, because Croatia requested it. /AA/