Montenegro has provisionally closed chapter 21 in its membership negotiations with the European Union (EU). The chapter relates to trans-European networks, the policy of which is aimed at the improvement and development of transport, energy and telecommunications systems in line with European standards.
Following an Intergovernmental Conference held in Brussels on 17 March, Montenegro has a total of 14 chapters provisionally closed out of the 33 covered by the accession negotiations with the European Union.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, assessed that the closure of another chapter is a great step for the country. She announced a visit to Montenegro next week, when she said she would convey the message that it is very important to find common ground in order to advance the EU's reform agenda.
"Your achievement today is an inspiration for all countries in the accession process. Montenegro is the most advanced country in the EU accession process. Let there be no confusion, my dear friends in Montenegro, we are closing Chapter 21 - Trans-European Networks. Congratulations to everyone in Montenegro," the Commissioner said.
According to the Government’s press release, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, underlined that Trans-European Networks enable stronger connections between people, economies, opportunities, and ideas.
'Our continent is becoming more connected and united. In that sense, today's step is about something that goes beyond the networks themselves. It is about Montenegro and its citizens becoming ever more firmly woven into the fabric of the European Union,' Spajić said in his address to the participants of the Intergovernmental Conference.
He stated that for Montenegro, situated at a strategic crossroads between the Adriatic and the Western Balkans, the enhancement and development of the trans-European transport and energy network is seen as a strategic goal within the broader European system of mobility, logistics and economic integration.
‘This means that every major infrastructure decision we make is guided by a broader perspective: how Montenegro connects with its neighbours, how the Western Balkans connects with the EU, and how these connections contribute to a more integrated European continent, a goal whose relevance is greater today than ever before,’ Spajić emphasised.
Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, stated that, in the current geopolitical context, enlargement is more than ever a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity.
"I am pleased to see the closure of another negotiation chapter with Montenegro today, at the second intergovernmental conference for Montenegro under the Cypriot Presidency, bringing the total number of chapters closed to 14. Montenegro remains a frontrunner in the enlargement process, and today's progress confirms the strong momentum of its accession negotiations, which is based on its own merits," she stated.
As this is the second intergovernmental conference with Montenegro during Cyprus's Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Minister expressed her confidence that more accession conferences will be convened in the coming months, which will further bring Montenegro closer to its goal of becoming the 28th member state by 2028.
Gorčević: Montenegro, the next EU member
After the conference, Minister Maida Gorčević stated that Montenegro is moving steadily towards its goal of becoming the next member of the European Union.
"In Brussels today, we have closed Chapter 21 – trans-European networks, another important step in the negotiation process. This confirms that we are meeting the demanding criteria and further strengthens our ties with our European partners. The trans-European policy means modern infrastructure, a connected Europe and new opportunities for economic growth and employment," Gorčević said.
This provisional closure followed less than two months after the previous accession conference held on 26 January 2026, at which Chapter 32 on financial control was provisionally closed. Monitoring progress in aligning with and implementing EU legislation will continue throughout the entire negotiation process.
Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiation chapters in its accession negotiations with the EU. With today's agreement on a provisional closure, a total of fourteen of these chapters have now been provisionally closed. In accordance with the negotiating principles approved by the Accession Conference, agreements reached during negotiations on individual chapters cannot be considered final until a comprehensive agreement on all chapters has been reached.
(EUpravo zato)
