The decision was reached on 6 November at the 30th EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels. The two chapters concern the free movement of goods (Chapter 1) and food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy (Chapter 12). The latest step follows the provisional closure of three chapters in October, covering economic and monetary policy, statistics, and social policy and employment.
Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, representing the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, welcomed the progress, describing it as an important step towards completing the remaining negotiations.
He said the Irish Presidency remained committed to supporting Montenegro’s ambition to close all chapters by the end of 2026.
Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters since beginning accession talks in 2012. The European Commission said earlier this week that negotiations could realistically be concluded by the end of 2026, provided the necessary reforms are implemented. The country hopes to sign its EU Accession Treaty in June 2027 and become a member in 2028. However, the provisional closure of individual chapters does not constitute a final agreement until the entire accession process is completed.
