Gorčević: For the first time after seven long years, we are closing the negotiation chapters

For the first time after seven long years, Montenegro is closing the negotiation chapters and because of that the citizens can rejoice tonight, wrote the Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević online.

"At the session of the COREPER II body in the Council of the EU, it was decided that for the first time after 7 long years, we will close the negotiation chapters. Of the four for which we have met all the final criteria, chapters 7, 10 and 20 will be closed next week. At the end of 2024, we are rounding off the most successful and intensive period of European integration In a little more than 12 months - we regained the trust of the EU, fulfilled the temporary benchmarks for chapters 23 and 24, received the first IBAR in the history of the EU, became the first candidate with membership in SEPA, received the approval of the Reform Agenda in the amount of over 380 million euros, held two intergovernmental conferences, and at the third we will close three chapters", said Gorčević.

The conclusions on enlargement, which the ambassadors to the EU are also discussing tonight, she added, possibly include technical preparations for the drafting of the Agreement on the accession of Montenegro to the European Union "and confirmation of the ambition to complete the negotiations by the end of 2026".

"All branches of government, the opposition and civil sector organizations contributed to this success. We owe special thanks to the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which confirmed our well-deserved success in challenging circumstances. Montenegro continues in the rhythm of Euro-optimism in 2025, when even greater and historic achievements await us." , Gorčević concluded.