Key Steps Towards Membership and the Strategic Perspective
December 2025 was marked by substantial steps taken by Montenegro on its path towards accession to the European Union. During the recent Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Montenegro achieved technical progress through the closure of five negotiating chapters, covering the areas of the legal system, market policies, agriculture and fisheries. These steps represent a continuation of the multi annual process of harmonising Montenegrin legislation and institutions with the EU’s legal standards (the acquis communautaire).
The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, congratulated Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Montenegrin colleagues and friends on yet another significant step on Montenegro’s path towards membership of the European Union: “Montenegro is our frontrunner. It is truly a top performing candidate with the outstanding results, and today once again substantiates this. Twelve chapters closed. That is it. We have closed these chapters and we are pleased that this has been possible. This is a major step forward and an exceptional achievement for the Montenegrin authorities, as well as for all the citizens of Montenegro who support this process, and for us in the European Union, and it shows that hard work pays off.”
The provisional closure of chapters covers five priority sectors:
• CHAPTER 3: Right of Establishment and Freedom to Provide Services
• CHAPTER 4: Free Movement of Capital
• CHAPTER 6: Company Law
• CHAPTER 11: Agriculture and Rural Development
• CHAPTER 13: Fisheries
This progress reflects the alignment of Montenegrin institutions with European standards and demonstrates the administration’s capacity to implement the EU acquis in technically demanding areas. The European Commission continuously monitors the implementation of reforms in these sectors, emphasising that the process of closing chapters is the result of merit based assessment and credible progress, rather than being driven exclusively by political momentum.
Commissioner Kos additionally emphasised: “We are not a humanitarian organisation, and this is not a Christmas gift, as we heard today from one of the representatives of the Member States. From today’s discussion at the Intergovernmental Conference, we know that all Member States acknowledge these results. We have numerous reasons to celebrate today. Montenegro has never been closer to the European Union. However, we must also be honest the most difficult part still lies ahead, as you yourselves have said that you wish to conclude the negotiations by the end of 2026. The European Commission supports you in this endeavour, but in order to achieve it, dear Prime Minister, you will have to run fast.”
In this process, Montenegro has been recognised as a regional leader among the candidates in the Western Balkans, with a clearly defined plan to close the remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026. European institutions emphasise that technical progress in the closure of chapters requires the continuous implementation of reforms in legislation, the judiciary and public administration, in order for progress to be trustworthy and sustainable. Within this framework, the EU places particular emphasis on the consistent application of the rule of law, the effective functioning of democratic institutions and institutional transparency, which are key elements of accession. Commissioner Kos stressed that each phase of the process is merit based, meaning that progress must be measurable and verifiable.
In parallel, EU institutions provide technical and operational support to Montenegro, including advisory mechanisms, seminars for administrative capacity building and tailored programmes for strengthening capacities in areas that are priorities for EU integration. This cooperation ensures that Montenegro’s progress remains measurable, credible and sustainable, in line with the enlargement methodology and European standards.
DOMESTIC PERSPECTIVE AND THE INSTITUTIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Following the technical progress achieved in Brussels, domestic officials underline the importance of continuity and the consistent implementation of reforms as a key factor for the successful closure of the remaining negotiating chapters. The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, emphasises coordination among all state institutions and the importance of modernising public administration, ensuring transparency and effectively implementing legislation. These strategic steps enable the technical achievements in the accession negotiations to be permanently integrated into the country’s administrative and legal structures.
Prime Minister Spajić stated that Montenegro has demonstrated the seriousness of its commitment to the integration process. “Dear citizens of Montenegro, today our country has closed more than one third of all chapters required in the negotiations and is the first to have done so since 2009, if I am not mistaken. It is precisely at this Intergovernmental Conference here in Brussels today that we have closed five chapters Chapters 3, 4, 6, 11 and 13.”
He also took this opportunity to speak directly to the citizens of the Member States of the European Union: “And, dear citizens of Europe, today, when many centres of power are attempting to pursue their agendas without precedent, we Europeans can have no greater ideal than a united Europe a Europe of all its citizens, a Europe of all Europeans. That is why the enlargement policy must endure and be safeguarded as one of the strongest and most important pillars of the European Union.”
Montenegrin institutions also recognise the role of the economy and civil society in the process of European reforms. The active involvement of entrepreneurs and non governmental organisations in projects related to digitalisation, the green transition and infrastructural modernisation is considered essential for successful and sustainable integration into the Single European Market. This strategy reflects the European approach, according to which a resilient economy and an engaged civil society constitute a guarantee of stability and longterm success in the implementation of the EU acquis.
Through comprehensive coordination among domestic institutions and with the continuous support of the European Union, Montenegro continues to implement reforms with the aim of ensuring the credibility and sustainability of the process, particularly in the areas of the judiciary, public administration and financial institutions. The integration of a broader socio economic spectrum, including the economy and civil society, is key to achieving measurable results that contribute to the country’s overall socio economic development while simultaneously maintaining high standards of transparency and good governance, which are prerequisites for final membership.