Montenegro will temporarily close three chapters in negotiations with the European Union (EU) at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, scheduled for December 16th.
Montenegro has met the criteria for closing five chapters, but, as the media reported earlier today, French representatives in the Union's working bodies have blocked the closure of two chapters - 11 - Agriculture and Rural Development and 13 - Fisheries.
"Vijesti" reported earlier today that Montenegro will most likely close three of the expected five chapters in negotiations with the European Union (EU) by the end of the year, because French representatives in the working bodies of that community today blocked the "crossing out" of two - chapters 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development) and 13 (Fisheries).
The French made this statement at a meeting of the EU Council Working Group (COELA) held earlier today. In the meantime, a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States (COREPER II) has also concluded, at which the decision was confirmed.
According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", French representatives claimed, among other things, that Chapters 11 and 13 were not ready for closure and were not sufficiently aligned with the EU acquis, without giving specific reasons for their position.
Although France's decision can be changed at the ministerial level, the chances of this happening are very small.
The EU Council has meanwhile announced that chapters 3 - Right of establishment and freedom to provide services, 4 - Free movement of capital and 6 - Commercial law will be temporarily closed at the conference on December 16th.
Negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU began on June 29, 2012.
Montenegro has so far opened all chapters and temporarily closed seven.
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