UPDATE: Montenegro is on the brink of a major milestone in its European Union accession journey. Today, at a critical intergovernmental conference in Brussels, the country is expected to close five chapters in its negotiations with the EU, a development that could significantly accelerate its path towards membership.
The chapters being finalized include: Chapter 3 – Right to Establish Enterprises and Freedom to Provide Services, Chapter 4 – Free Movement of Capital, Chapter 6 – Economic Governance, Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development, and Chapter 13 – Fisheries.
Leading the Montenegrin delegation is Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, accompanied by key officials including Vice Presidents Ervin Ibrahimović and Nik Đeljošaj, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management Vladimir Joković.
This move is significant as Montenegro has already opened all 33 chapters in its EU negotiations and has temporarily closed seven. The government’s aim is to finalize all remaining chapters by the end of next year. Securing these closures today would bring Montenegro into a pivotal year with 12 closed chapters.
In a recent statement, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the importance of this progress, remarking, “With Montenegro, which has probably advanced the most among candidates, we can now move to the next step and soon begin work on the accession agreement. This is in our mutual interest, especially in tackling illegal migration.”
Montenegro has held candidate status since December 2010 and officially commenced EU negotiations in June 2012. The outcomes of today’s conference could reshape the country’s future, aligning it closer with European standards and cooperation.
As details unfold following the conference, all eyes will be on how these developments will influence Montenegro’s trajectory within the EU framework. The implications of securing these chapters are profound, potentially impacting trade, governance, and migration policies, making it a crucial moment for both Montenegro and the EU.
Stay tuned for real-time updates on this developing story as Montenegro takes significant strides toward its European integration goals.
