Zenović: With dedicated work and measurable results, we are closing all chapters by the end of the year

At the meeting of the Subcommittee on Trade, Industry, Customs and Taxation between Montenegro and the European Union, held in a hybrid format, he said that Montenegro continues to achieve concrete results in the aforementioned chapters, with an increasingly pronounced focus on implementation.

"Our efforts are focused not only on legislative alignment, but also on ensuring effective implementation, modernizing administrative systems and strengthening institutional capacities. In this regard, we expect that continued work and measurable results will enable decisive progress towards closing chapters 1, 16 and 29, as well as all others, by the end of 2026," said Zenović.

During the meeting, the results and progress in negotiation chapters 1 Free Movement of Goods, 16 Taxation, 29 Customs Union, as well as in chapters 20 Entrepreneurship and Industrial Policy and 30 External Relations, which are temporarily closed, were presented.

Zenović said that membership in the European Union remains a strategic priority, and that the accession process continues to be a key driver of economic development, strengthening institutions, and improving competitiveness.

"The chapters covered by this Subcommittee — free movement of goods, taxation, customs union, entrepreneurship and industrial policy, as well as external relations — together form the backbone of the EU's internal market. They represent the 'alphabet' of economic integration, shaping the conditions for the free movement of goods, a predictable business environment and the efficient functioning of trade both within the Union and with global partners," said Zenović.

European co-chair Kristof Zurek from the EC Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood said that significant progress has been made in all chapters that are part of that Subcommittee, but that efforts need to be stepped up with the aim of provisionally closing all chapters by the end of the year.

"Significant progress has been made in all the chapters we discussed today over the past year, and this is a moment to appreciate the success of our joint work, but also to redouble our efforts to maintain the positive momentum towards the provisional closure of all negotiation chapters this year. In the coming months, you will need to step up your efforts, especially in chapters 1 (Free Movement of Goods) and 16 (Taxation). The accession process is and will remain entirely merit-based," said Zurek.

Montenegrin Co-Chair Aida Ceković recalled that over the past year, Montenegro has made progress in aligning its legislation with the EU acquis in the field of trade, and that it has continued to align its positions with those of the European Union, including within the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"In accordance with the agreed Agenda, the Montenegrin side submitted consolidated material with accompanying annexes for all Agenda items on April 9, which covered all issues in a comprehensive and high-quality manner, which is confirmed by the small number of additional questions submitted by the European Commission," said Ceković.

Representatives of Montenegrin institutions presented the achieved results to their colleagues from the European Commission and exchanged opinions regarding the fulfillment of the requirements arising from the European agenda in the areas covered by these chapters.

It was jointly assessed that in the period between the two meetings, Montenegro continued to implement necessary reforms and achieved good results, which leads it to the final stage of the negotiation process and secures its place in the European family.