Montenegro an example that EU enlargement is certain, 2024 most successful year since we started negotiating

Following today's meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the European Union (COREPER), it is certain that Montenegro will, at the upcoming Intergovernmental Conference, close three negotiation chapters. After 7 years, we have the closure of chapters and we can be very proud of the results achieved during this year and the commitment of the state administration, as well as the entire society, to European integration.

We are continuously working dedicatedly to fulfill the conditions for an accelerated path to the EU, with the aim of concluding negotiations by the end of 2026, and becoming a member by 2028, which is a key foreign policy priority.

By fulfilling the final benchmarks for the closure of four chapters of the acquis communautaire, the conditions have been met for holding the Intergovernmental Conference at which we will make another significant step towards the final goal – EU membership.

Thanks to joint efforts, this year is the most successful since we started negotiating, as we are ending it with three closed chapters, the first closed after 7 years, a positive IBAR (which we received as the first of 10 candidate countries) and as the first SEPA candidate country for membership.

Regarding chapter 31-Foreign, Security and Defense Policy, which is under the jurisdiction of the MFA, all conditions for its closure have been met on our side. Montenegro continuously fully aligns with the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, in agreement with the American side, the final benchmark for the termination of the bilateral agreement on the jurisdiction of the ICC has been fulfilled, and a new Law on Restrictive Measures has been adopted.

However, the fact that we have completed our part of the work is a prerequisite for closure, and the final decision is made by the member states. The final benchmarks have been met, the chapter is ready for closure, and we believe that, by the next IGC, conditions will be created for it to be closed as well.

Now that we are in the last, and politically most sensitive phase of integration into the Union, communication with the member states must be constant, proactive, and in that process, as before, the MFA and our diplomatic-consular network will play an important role. We will continue with the same commitment and determination, and the closure of three chapters will give additional impetus to the negotiations.

For Montenegro, now more than ever, it is crucial that all institutions of the system and parliamentary parties that want to see Montenegro in the EU act in sync, with a clear vision of our European future. This is the only sure way to achieve the desired results and our final goal – full membership in the EU by 2028.