France’s temporary resistance to closing key chapters in Montenegro’s European Union accession talks was driven by domestic political considerations rather than lobbying by Serbia, EU and diplomatic sources said, as Podgorica moves closer to a breakthrough in negotiations.
A coordinated effort by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Montenegro’s Minister for European Affairs Maida Gorčević helped clear obstacles to closing Chapters 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development) and 13 (Fisheries) this week, sources familiar with the talks said.
“Only a few technical clarifications remain. The intervention by Commissioner Kos and Minister Gorčević was decisive in reopening the path to an agreement with France,” one diplomatic source told Vijesti.
The same sources said resistance has also eased toward the EU Council’s decision to establish a working group to draft Montenegro’s accession treaty – a crucial procedural step. The Netherlands, which had conditioned its support on the number of chapters opened, confirmed it would not block the decision if five chapters are opened in December.
European Council President Antonio Costa and Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, are pushing for the working group to be formally welcomed in EU summit conclusions, according to officials. Diplomats say this is intended to pressure hesitant member states, as such wording requires prior agreement to launch the group.
Delays in closing two chapters would not significantly affect Montenegro’s accession timeline, sources said. However, postponing work on the accession treaty could lead to major setbacks, potentially pushing EU entry beyond the current target of 2028 or early 2029.
France’s objections last week sparked speculation that Serbia had lobbied Paris to slow Montenegro’s progress, claims EU officials dismissed.
“France did not block the chapters because of Serbia. The reasons are internal – linked to political tensions within the French government and misread signals from Paris,” a senior EU source said.
French officials are weighing EU enlargement through the lens of the 2027 French elections, diplomats said, amid concerns that faster enlargement could fuel support for the far-right National Rally, which opposes EU expansion.
Montenegro, however, would pose none of the challenges often cited by French critics of enlargement, such as migration pressures or agricultural competition, analysts noted.
EU officials also rejected claims that Serbia holds leverage over enlargement decisions. “Belgrade lacks both the credibility and influence to sway France,” one source said, adding that the EU increasingly views Serbia’s leadership as incompatible with its democratic standards.
Montenegro’s situation contrasts sharply with Serbia’s stalled accession process. Eight EU member states opposed opening Serbia’s third negotiation cluster, preventing debate or a vote, officials said.
EU decision-making rules allow compromises when one or two states object, but opposition from several members typically halts progress entirely.
Meanwhile, EU sources cautioned Montenegro to remain vigilant in resolving bilateral disputes with Croatia, warning that recent signals from Zagreb suggest growing assertiveness that could complicate accession talks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week that Montenegro should move to the next stage of EU integration, including the drafting of its accession treaty – remarks diplomats described as politically significant given regional sensitivities.