Montenegro expects to temporarily close Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development – at the Intergovernmental Conference in mid-December. This is one of the most demanding chapters in the EU accession process.
Negotiation team representatives assessed that the country has fulfilled all key obligations, and the decision now rests with the 27 EU member states.
Miroslav Cimbaljević, Head of the Negotiation Team for Chapter 11, stated that Montenegro is in the final phase of one of the most important negotiation processes.
“We have reached a high level of agreement with the European Commission, fulfilling all requirements. We have established a functional Payments Agency, completed the integrated administrative and control system, and enacted all necessary laws. This means we have met the closing benchmarks and are eligible for the temporary closure of the chapter,” Cimbaljević said in an interview with Mina-business.
Temporary closure of Chapter 11 opens the door to implementing the EU Common Agricultural Policy, which accounts for around 40% of the EU budget. Granica Kovačević Petrić, Secretary of the Chapter 11 negotiation team, believes this will bring new stability and predictability for Montenegrin farmers.
“Upon Montenegro’s accession to the EU, our farmers will have access to significantly larger financial support, which they can use to modernize equipment, improve farms, and increase competitiveness. This will allow them to create added value and more easily market their products,” said Kovačević Petrić.
Negotiation team representatives noted that they cannot speculate on the exact amount of funds available once Montenegro joins the EU, as it depends on several factors. However, they confirmed that EU funds will be significantly higher than current levels.
“We cannot talk about figures while negotiations are ongoing, because we do not yet know how many hectares will be registered or whether we will receive the status of a ‘less-favored area.’ Currently, we have 125,000 hectares registered, and we expect this number to reach around 240,000 hectares by the time of accession. One of the negotiation requests was for Montenegro to be treated as a less-favored area, which means receiving more funds than other EU countries due to the specific characteristics of agricultural land,” explained Cimbaljević.
Regarding Montenegrin producers’ readiness for the EU market, he said that analyses show EU products are not a competitive threat; on the contrary, they open new opportunities.
“The next two years must be a period of adaptation, discussion, and preparation for producers. That’s why we requested transitional periods to avoid negative experiences seen in other countries,” Cimbaljević added.
He emphasized that farmer cooperation and a broader range of final products are key to success.
“It is not the same if a processor has five or 50 final products. A wider assortment provides better opportunities for market placement, visibility, and shelf share. We have raw materials for many products, but lack finished goods, which must change. A broader assortment will enhance export potential, logistical sustainability, and competitiveness,” Cimbaljević said.
He added that the solution lies in strengthening processing capacities and attracting new investments.
“The message for everyone is to open new production lines, utilize available funds, and work on product assortment. If we have only three products, no one will order a truckload. But with 30 or so products – that is a serious market presence. Therefore, assortment and cooperation are key,” he stated.
Kovačević Petrić stressed the importance of understanding EU rules, especially for traditional production.
“Often when I visit my village, I hear concerns that we won’t be able to produce jam or distill rakija as before. This is not true. The EU encourages traditional production methods and even supports them. However, it is important to distinguish between production for personal use and for the market. Products sold on the market must meet EU food safety and quality standards for the health of citizens; personal use products are not restricted,” she explained.
She also highlighted that temporary closure of Chapter 11 marks the beginning of an intensive phase rather than the end of work.
“From the closure of the chapter to EU accession, we must implement all defined measures, train administration, and prepare producers. Our goal is that on the day of accession, we are fully ready to implement the Common Agricultural Policy on par with current EU members,” said Kovačević Petrić.
Cimbaljević announced plans to build agricultural service centers in several cities to serve producers.
“If preparatory work is done properly, I am confident we will fully utilize funds and achieve maximum benefits,” he said.
The negotiation team concluded that the temporary closure of Chapter 11 is an important signal that Montenegro is ready for the European path, but the agriculture sector faces a period of opportunities requiring hard work, cooperation, and modernization.
Source: mina.news