Montenegro takes another step closer to EU membership, four more negotiation chapters open

Brussels (16 December 2014) – The EU-Montenegro Accession Conference, taking place in the margins of the EU Council meeting in Brussels today, decided to push forward Montenegro’s EU accession talks by opening four new negotiation chapters dealing with statistics, customs, consumer and health protection and financial and budgetary issues.

Earlier today, the EU Council welcomed Montenegro’s progress in implementing reforms aimed to ensure the independence and increased efficiency of the judiciary.

“The Council notes with satisfaction Montenegro’s work on a number of issues identified in the progress report and, in particular, the recent adoption of several important measures in the area of prevention of corruption. Montenegro has also continued to implement its obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and to play an active role in the region,” the Council said.

The EU ministers welcomed in particular Montenegro’s continued involvement in further development of regional cooperation and its full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, adding that further efforts are needed in certain areas to intensify legislative reforms and their effective implementation.