Montenegro plans to close all 12 of its remaining European Union accession negotiation chapters by the end of 2026, Predrag Zenović, the country’s chief negotiator with the EU, said in Belgrade.
Speaking at a panel titled “The Western Balkans, Piece by Piece, into the EU” during the Move. Link. Engage conference, Zenović said Montenegro was entering an important phase of political negotiations.
Of the 33 negotiation chapters in the country’s accession process, 12 remain to be closed, according to Zenović’s statement. He acknowledged that catching up with the European average in any area was an extremely demanding task.
Zenović said public support for Montenegro’s European integration remained between 70 and 80 percent, emphasizing that the process would not be possible without citizens’ backing.
He added that around 20 percent of citizens should not necessarily be described as opponents of European integration, but rather as eurosceptics who had grown tired of waiting.
Zenović stressed that Montenegro was pursuing EU membership in its own national interest, while also sending a message to other Western Balkan countries about the potential benefits of a consistent European integration policy.
He also said that the safeguards provided by EU mechanisms during the accession process were acceptable to Montenegro, pointing to the benefits the country expects to gain after signing its accession treaty.
Montenegro is seeking to advance its EU membership bid as the country works to complete the remaining stages of negotiations. Closing the outstanding chapters would mark a significant step forward, although further accession procedures would still be required before membership.
