Today in Brussels, at the Intergovernmental Conference with the EU, Montenegro closed two more negotiation chapters: Chapter 8 (Competition Policy) and Chapter 29 (Customs Union).
This brings Montenegro's total score on its path to membership to 18 closed chapters out of a total of 33, all of which have been opened. Chapter 14 (Transport Policy) was also ready to be closed, but it did not receive the green light from Croatia, which raised concerns over the issue of cabotage - specifically, the right of a carrier from one country to operate transport services within another country.
The delegation led by Prime Minister Spajić will include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Nik Gjeloshaj, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, and Minister of Finance Novica Vuković.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that Montenegro could not have received better news for its Statehood Day, which it celebrated yesterday.
"Today we are celebrating Super Tuesday. We have closed more than half of the negotiation chapters," Spajić said.
European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said that for Montenegro, the closing of chapters is already a "familiar process" that is nearing its end.
Brussels can "reopen closed chapters"
The European Union can, if necessary, return to these negotiation chapters again at an appropriate moment. This provisional closure follows less than a month after the previous Intergovernmental Conference, held on 15 June 2026, when Chapter 2 (Freedom of Movement for Workers) and Chapter 28 (Consumer and Health Protection) were provisionally closed. Monitoring of Montenegro's progress in aligning with and implementing the European Union acquis will continue throughout the entire negotiation process.
Montenegro closes more than half of the chapters
According to official Podgorica, the closure of new chapters confirms Montenegro's concrete progress in implementing European reforms and meeting demanding membership criteria.
"Progress in the areas of competition policy and the customs union further strengthens legal certainty, improves business conditions, and confirms Montenegro's readiness for full participation in the European single market," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release.
(EUpravo zato)