A large number of European Union member states have called for the creation of a working group to begin drafting an accession treaty with Montenegro, the Montenegrin government said, following an intergovernmental conference in Brussels.
At the conference, Montenegro provisionally closed Chapter 32 on financial control as part of its accession negotiations with the EU, the government said.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić told representatives of EU member states that the temporary closure of the chapter, alongside continued monitoring and strengthening of financial oversight, demonstrated Montenegro’s commitment to accession based on reliability, integrity, accountability and the rule of law.
“The progress we have achieved is the result of political commitment at all levels, sustained institutional effort and a clear strategic choice of our entire society for Europe,” Spajić said.
He said Montenegro had delivered results under the EU’s fundamental reform pillars and expressed confidence that progress and membership based on merit would be recognised.
“This is our year – yours and ours,” Spajić said. “Let’s show other candidates and the rest of the world how the European Union can grow, become stronger and safer for its citizens, administrations, companies and investors.”
Montenegro is the most advanced EU accession candidate among the Western Balkan countries. The formal drafting of an accession treaty would mark a significant step toward full membership, though the timeline remains dependent on further reforms and approval by all EU member states.