At the Mission of Montenegro to the European Union in Brussels, a meeting was held yesterday between the Chief Negotiator of Montenegro, Predrag Zenović, and representatives of EU Member States within the Working Party on Enlargement (COELA), at which strong support was confirmed for Montenegro’s European path and the goal of provisionally closing all chapters by the end of 2026.
The Chief Negotiator emphasized that Montenegro has already closed 14 negotiating chapters, but that the most difficult part of the journey and a huge amount of work still lie ahead.
“The negotiation process is conducted strictly according to the merit-based principle, whereby Montenegro is treated in each chapter as a future member, not just a candidate. Every chapter we close represents a significant step forward, but the most challenging segment of the negotiations is yet to come. Each criterion and benchmark is being fulfilled thoroughly and systematically, through concrete and measurable activities, which further confirms Montenegro’s credibility and brings us closer to achieving the ambition of full membership in the European Union,” said Zenović.
At the meeting, a detailed timeline of work in all open negotiating chapters was presented, including specific reform steps, legislative activities, and institutional strengthening accompanying each individual chapter. The need for full synchronization of the political and technical segments of the negotiations was particularly emphasized, as well as the continuous support of Member States, in order for the enlargement policy to deliver concrete results.
COELA representatives expressed strong support and interest in Montenegro’s further progress, particularly welcoming the intensive and continuous communication with EU institutions and bilaterally with Member States.
Key challenges were also discussed, as well as the concrete steps forward that Montenegro is making on its European path, with a clear message that the merit-based approach remains the foundation of the negotiations, whose ultimate goal is full membership in the European Union.
Montenegro remains determined and committed to its European path, with a clear vision and energy to complete all negotiating obligations by the end of 2026 and step into a new phase of its European future, closer than ever to EU membership.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS