Montenegro closes three more negotiating chapters, 21 of 33 in total

Montenegro closed three more negotiating chapters with the European Union at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on October 12: 17 (economic and monetary policy), 18 (statistics) and 19 (social policy and employment), the Beta agency reported. That brings the total to 21 of 33 chapters.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged the government and opposition to adopt constitutional changes on the judiciary, which require a two-thirds majority. "I call on both the government and the opposition to put the national interest first," Kos said. The opposition had been boycotting parliament.

Frontrunner of the region

Montenegro is the most advanced of all Western Balkan candidates. Podgorica hopes to complete negotiations by the end of 2026 and sign an accession treaty in 2027.