The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the European Union (COREPER) today approved the formation of an ad hoc working group to draft Montenegro’s Accession Treaty to the European Union, marking a key step forward toward the final phase of the negotiation process.
Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević said this is a historic moment and the final step toward Montenegro’s full membership in the EU. It comes as a clear signal and confirmation of the European Union’s strong support for everything that has been done in the previous period.
“Great news is coming from Brussels. The formation of the working group to draft Montenegro’s EU Accession Treaty is another confirmation that we are on the right path for Montenegro to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028,” Gorčević said.
She added that the formation of the ad hoc working group is standard practice in the enlargement process, but at this moment, after many years, it carries a strong political message and confirms that the European Union has confidence in this Government to complete the negotiation process according to the planned timeline, by the end of the year.
She explained that the task of this group will be to coordinate the final legal and technical preparation of the Treaty, including defining transitional periods and safeguard mechanisms, in order to ensure a gradual and sustainable integration of Montenegro into the legal and institutional framework of the European Union.
The Accession Treaty is technically prepared in parallel with the final stage of the negotiation process, but it is finalized only after all negotiation chapters are closed. This means that Montenegro must demonstrate full alignment of its legislation with the EU acquis, developed administrative capacities for its implementation, as well as a clear plan for financing and carrying out the obligations undertaken.
On the other hand, the European Union will ensure that the text of the Treaty is fully aligned with the primary law of the Union and reflects everything that has been formally agreed and closed during the negotiations.
Overall, the drafting of the Treaty represents the legal and technical operationalization of the political agreement that Montenegro has reached with the European Union through a long-term negotiation process.
It is also particularly significant that this will be the first Accession Treaty after 13 years since the last enlargement, making it a new-generation treaty and a potential model for future enlargements.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS