Montenegro provisionally closed three more chapters in its EU accession negotiations on Monday at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, bringing its total to 21 of 33 chapters. The chapters covered economic and monetary policy, statistics, and social policy and employment.
Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne, whose country holds the EU Council presidency, said Montenegro’s progress demonstrated steady advancement, calling enlargement a geopolitical necessity and a priority for Ireland’s presidency. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated the EU fully supports Montenegro’s ambition to conclude accession talks by year’s end, urging the government and opposition to cooperate on remaining reforms, particularly in the rule of law and constitutional changes. “The remaining reforms, especially those related to the rule of law and constitutional amendments, cannot wait,” Kos said .
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said the closures established a clear framework for economic and monetary stability, improving citizen protections, labor conditions, and employment opportunities. He added that the government had fulfilled all obligations for the final phase of negotiations and called for wisdom and compromise to complete the process .
The EU Council confirmed the provisional closure of chapters 17, 18, and 19 . European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen later welcomed the decision, calling it a significant step toward a more complete union and a result of Montenegro’s hard work and European spirit .
