Montenegro Awaits EU Approval to Close Five Negotiation Chapters

Montenegro is set to close five negotiation chapters with the European Union during an intergovernmental conference scheduled for mid to late December 2023. However, this progress hinges on receiving necessary approvals from various EU working groups and bodies involved in the enlargement process.

Currently, there is a joint position between Montenegro and the EU regarding the closure of Chapter 4, which pertains to the free movement of capital. For the other four chapters, Montenegro has outlined its positions, but the EU has not yet established its stance. According to reports from Pobjeda, while there is a consensus on Chapter 4, approval from several EU member states is still pending. More than 20 EU member countries have already supported the closure of Chapter 4, but a few others are awaiting additional clarifications or are in the midst of internal procedures.

This situation indicates that the closure of Chapter 4 is not blocked, but further approvals are expected before the intergovernmental conference takes place.

Progress on Remaining Chapters

While Chapter 4 has garnered significant support, the EU’s draft negotiating positions for the remaining four chapters are still in development. Initial discussions have highlighted the necessity of aligning certain aspects of these chapters. Despite this, sources indicate that there has been no substantial opposition from member states regarding the closure of these chapters.

The negotiation positions for these five chapters have been frequently mentioned by both Montenegrin officials and EU representatives as a goal for 2025. However, the discussions thus far have only involved preliminary presentations to the administration in Brussels. These matters have been under review by lower-level diplomats in the EU’s enlargement working group, COELA.

Despite some media speculation suggesting that the closure of these chapters is almost assured, it is important to note that Montenegro’s positions have yet to pass through the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER), which consists of ambassadors.

Additionally, diplomats within the COELA have engaged in five discussions regarding Chapter 4, during which the EU’s common position has been refined based on input from member states. The working group has also addressed Montenegro’s negotiating positions for the remaining chapters, which include Chapters 3 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), 6 (Competition Policy), 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development), and 13 (Fisheries).

As Montenegro prepares for this crucial phase in its EU accession process, the outcomes of these discussions will play a pivotal role in determining the pace and scope of its integration into the European Union.