Montenegro has made significant progress in its negotiations to join the European Union, successfully closing five more chapters during a recent intergovernmental conference. This achievement brings the country’s total to a third of the required chapters closed, setting a hopeful tone as Montenegro moves into 2026, which many view as a pivotal year for its EU accession.
In an interview with the European Western Balkans portal, Maida Gorčević, Montenegro’s Minister for European Affairs, outlined the government’s ambitious goal to finalize all negotiation chapters by the end of 2026. She emphasized the importance of continuing to build institutions and implement reforms that provide tangible benefits to citizens. Gorčević stated that Montenegro is committed to demonstrating its capability to navigate the European path in a stable and constructive manner.
She explained that the EU accession talks are not merely technical; they are deeply political and rely on trust, dialogue, and a candidate country’s ability to sustainably implement reforms. Following the closure of each chapter, such as those related to fisheries and agriculture, there is a regular monitoring process to ensure compliance with obligations. This is conducted through annual reports by the European Commission and ongoing institutional dialogue with the EU.
Gorčević clarified that Montenegro has not faced additional or special requirements concerning chapters 11 and 13, describing the situation as standard practice within the EU framework. She noted that the agreement with France was reached through diplomatic dialogue, which highlighted the specific reform steps and results achieved by Montenegro.
The closure of these negotiation chapters signals that Montenegro has met the necessary criteria, fostering confidence in its capacity to adhere to commitments even after the temporary closure of these chapters. Gorčević pointed out that the EU negotiation process inherently combines technical criteria with political dynamics, citing chapter 31 on foreign, security, and defense policy as an example of how bilateral issues can influence negotiation pace.
At the recent intergovernmental conference, Gorčević asserted that Montenegro has fully met the technical criteria in this chapter and aligned its foreign policy with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). She emphasized that assessments should be merit-based, focusing on clearly defined criteria and concrete results rather than other factors.
Reflecting on the improvements made in dialogue with Croatia, Gorčević expressed optimism regarding the potential for resolving outstanding bilateral issues, which she believes will facilitate progress in negotiations. She stated that Croatia has consistently supported Montenegro’s EU aspirations, and resolving these issues through dialogue is the best confirmation of that support.
Looking back, Gorčević remarked that while 2024 was considered a highly successful year in Montenegro’s European integration efforts, she believes 2025 will surpass it. Since June of the previous year, the government has unblocked the negotiation process, closing nine chapters. She noted that this is not merely about promises but tangible results. With six chapters closed this year and the likelihood of commencing the drafting of the Accession Treaty, Gorčević rated 2025 as an exemplary year.
She highlighted that Montenegro received a grant of €150 million from the EU for the construction of the second section of its highway, a visible outcome that citizens can appreciate. These steps illustrate not only the fulfillment of technical criteria but also Montenegro’s proactive capacity to implement reforms consistently.
Moreover, Gorčević described the commencement of drafting the Accession Treaty as a logical step following the closing of over a third of the negotiation chapters. She expressed confidence that if ongoing reforms continue, all chapters might be closed by 2026. The initiation of this treaty would send a strong political message, reinforcing Montenegro’s reform efforts and the perception among citizens that EU membership is both a strategic goal and a tangible reality.
Support from Germany is particularly significant in this process, as it validates Montenegro’s achievements and commitment. Gorčević acknowledged that while some member states remain cautious regarding the enlargement process, there is a realistic expectation as long as Montenegro continues to fulfill its obligations.
She emphasized the importance of a merit-based approach to membership, grounded in results and achievements. The beginning of the treaty drafting would signal that Montenegro is building credibility and trust in the European context, confirming its ability to implement reforms and meet all obligations for full membership.
Gorčević described the work of the government since its formation in late November 2023 as dynamic and continuous. She stressed that the government has remained focused on delivering concrete results and fulfilling key obligations towards the EU. Plans for the first half of the year include intensifying dialogue with EU institutions and member states while implementing measures that directly improve citizens’ lives.
Looking ahead, Gorčević anticipates a significant number of chapters will close in the first half of the upcoming year, alongside news of the treaty’s initiation. She reaffirmed the ambition to complete the negotiation process by the end of 2026, relying on continuous commitment and the results achieved thus far in reforms and institutional strengthening.
Despite skepticism from some countries, such as France, Gorčević noted the necessity for intensified political communication with member states, particularly those hesitant about enlargement. She aims to illustrate the benefits of Montenegro’s membership to the EU and all candidate countries, reinforcing that the enlargement policy remains alive and that the EU values both concrete outcomes and a merit-based approach.
Gorčević aspires for Montenegro to be seen as a success story for all of Europe. She reiterated that the focus remains on consistently showcasing Montenegro’s achievements on its European path, emphasizing reforms, institutional strengthening, and concrete results that demonstrate the interest of the entire EU in Montenegro’s membership.
The integration process, she explained, entails deep societal transformation shaped by reforms, particularly concerning the rule of law, judicial independence, and the fight against corruption and organized crime. The new methodology emphasizes these areas as fundamental clusters that close last, highlighting the significance of progress in these fields for political compatibility with mature democracies.
Finally, Gorčević identified the primary challenge as not just implementing technical reforms but delivering tangible results, including investigations and verdicts, while enhancing societal resilience to issues like corruption and crime. She affirmed that achieving this requires coordinated action from decision-makers and active participation from the civil sector.
Overall, she believes that the greatest challenge in the upcoming period will be maintaining continuity in reforms during the final negotiation phase and building lasting trust among citizens in governmental institutions. Gorčević expressed confidence that despite the political landscape, there is a consensus in the Montenegrin Parliament regarding the European integration process, which she described as stable and constructive.
