Podgorica, (MINA) - Montenegro has entered the final phase of negotiations under Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change, and the closure is planned for the last quarter of this year, said Chief EU Negotiator Predrag Zenovic.

He participated in an event organized at the European Parliament, dedicated to assessing Montenegro’s readiness to close Chapter 27.

The Ministry of European Affairs (MEP) announced that Zenovic discussed with representatives of the European Commission (EC), the EP, Euronatur and civil society about the Ulcinj salt pan, river management and the development of hydropower projects, referring to examples of good practice.

“Montenegro has entered the final phase of negotiations under Chapter 27, with the planned closure for the last quarter of 2026. We are working intensively to meet the remaining obligations, and the draft of the final report has already been submitted to the European Commission, while we are continuing intensive work on the negotiating position”, said Zenovic.

He said that the establishment of the Natura 2000 network is one of the key tests of readiness to close the chapter.

Zenovic said that closing of Chapter 27 will not mark the end of the process, but rather the beginning of more intensive implementation of standards and further improvement of the quality of the environment.