Brussels: Montenegro opens negotiating chapters 7 and 10

Podgorica, Montenegro (31 March 2014) -- At the EU - Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference, which was held today in Brussels, Montenegro opened two negotiating chapters: Chapter 7 - Intellectual property and Chapter 10 - Information society and media.

In his address, Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, Chief Negotiator for Negotiations on Accession of Montenegro to the EU, voiced satisfaction with the fact that, following the opening of the negotiations in the rule of law area, the EU negotiation process continues at a steady pace and progress in other areas, such as intellectual property rights and information society and media.

He stressed that the tasks within this and all other negotiating chapters are not aimed only at the harmonisation of the national legislation with the EU regulations, but at gradually transforming the entire Montenegrin society and creating new development opportunities for citizens and businesses. In that context, the Chief Negotiator pointed out that further alignment with the EU acquis and enforcement of the IPR contribute significantly to strengthening technological, scientific, cultural and overall progress in Montenegro.

Ambassador Pejović also referred to the expectations that Montenegro, by amending the existing laws or adopting new ones, will be fully compliant with European regulations in this area by the end of 2015. 

"Along with the legislative activities, Montenegro will continue to work on strengthening its institutional and administrative capacity for the effective enforcement of intellectual property rights," he stated.

When it comes to Chapter 10 - Information society and media, Chief Negotiator Pejović emphasised the impact of this issue on economic development and employment. He pointed out that Montenegro demonstrateds strong commitment in harmonising the national legislation with EU regulations and standards in the field of electronic communications, information society services and audiovisual policy, as well as in their consistent implementation. He pointed out that the coming period focus will be placed on further harmonisation and strengthening of administrative capacity for the implementation of the chapter.

On behalf of the EU, the Intergovernmental Conference was attended by Ambassador of Greece to the EU Theodoros Sotiropulos and Director General for Enlargement Christian Danielsson.

It was pointed out that Montenegro has progressed well in the EU accession process and that all previous achievements are the result of merits, energy and determination shown by the Montenegrin institutions and the entire society. The EU expects the good pace to be continued in the coming months and that Montenegro will be able to open other negotiating chapters soon, the meeting concluded.

When it comes to the chapters 7 and 10, Montenegro is expected to continue its work towards further alignment of its legislation with the EU acquis in this area, its quality implementation and further strengthening of the administrative capacity, the EU officials underlined.