Contrary to common belief, the timeline for Montenegro’s accession to the EU depends not on the EU but only on Montenegro itself. The country will be accepted into the EU once it fully meets all the conditions. Montenegro is ready to be accepted. It could be accepted right now! It could have been accepted even five years ago. But it has not yet completed all the necessary reforms.
The timing of when Montenegro will complete all the reforms depends solely on Montenegro; the EU has no influence on this.
What Reforms Are We Talking About?
There are 33 chapters to be opened and completed in order to become an EU member. Each chapter covers a major issue that needs to be resolved. Essentially, this means that Montenegro’s economic and political rules must become the same as those in other EU countries. These chapters are:
- Free movement of goods and services (i.e., the single market)
- Free movement of workers
- Freedom of entrepreneurship
- Free movement of capital
- Partnership between state and business
- Reform of commercial law
- Intellectual property protection
- Freedom of competition
- Financial services
- Farming
- Food safety and veterinary control
- Free media
- Fisheries
- Transport policy
- Energy
- Taxes
- Economic and monetary policy
- Statistics
- Social policy and employment
- Industrial policy
- Trans-European networks
- Regional policy
- Judicial reform
- Freedom and security
- Science and research
- Education and culture
- Environment
- Consumer protection and health
- Customs
- International relations
- Cooperation with EU organizations
- Financial control
- Financial and budgetary policy
I could explain what exactly each chapter covers, but I won’t, as I don’t think anyone would want to read 15-20 pages of detailed explanations on these topics.
Progress in Montenegro’s EU Accession Negotiations
Since 2013, Montenegro and the EU have gradually opened new chapters, starting negotiations on more and more issues. I won’t tire you with the exact dates when each chapter was opened; it is enough to describe the current situation.
By 2024, Montenegro has opened all negotiation chapters, three of which are temporarily closed. Currently, the country is working on fulfilling the temporary criteria in negotiation chapters 23 and 24, as well as meeting the final criteria within the remaining open chapters. The ultimate goal is to ensure the country’s internal readiness for EU membership by the end of the mandate of Montenegro’s 44th government.
Basically, the government believes it will meet all the conditions for EU accession by the end of its term. Will it succeed? We will see!
What Happens After All Chapters Are Closed?
When all negotiation chapters are temporarily closed, the European Council usually notes the completion of negotiations with the candidate country. The negotiation results are then included in the draft Accession Treaty, which is created by representatives of the EU member states and institutions, as well as representatives of the candidate country.
After the draft Accession Treaty text is agreed upon between the EU and the candidate country, the document goes through the appropriate procedures in EU institutions, member states, and the candidate country. Based on the draft Treaty, before signing, the European Commission must issue a final opinion on the membership request, the European Parliament must give its consent, and finally, the Council must unanimously decide on accepting the new member state and its membership request.
After signing the Accession Treaty, the country begins to participate in the work of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament as an active observer.
For the Accession Treaty to come into force, it must be ratified by the national parliaments of the EU member states and the candidate country.
