Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro is focused on closing a significant number of chapters during the Cypriot Presidency of the EU and creating the necessary conditions to close all remaining chapters during the Irish Presidency, chief negotiator Predrag Zenovic said.

According to the press release from the Ministry of European Affairs, the 15th meeting of the EU – Montenegro Stabilization and Association Committee was held in Podgorica on Wednesday.

The meeting was opened on the Montenegrin side by Chief Negotiator Predrag Zenovic, and on behalf of the European Commission by Deputy Head of the Unit for Montenegro and BiH in DG ENEST Heinke Veit.

Zenovic said that, based on the momentum achieved in the previous period, Montenegro managed to turn political commitment into tangible progress.

“Continued efforts over the past year have led to significant progress, including the provisional closure of six chapters in 2025 and an additional two chapters this year, bringing the total number of provisionally closed chapters to fourteen”, said Zenovic.

He pointed out that efforts have not only focused on legislative alignment, but increasingly also on effective enforcement and implementation, which are key to ensuring that reforms are credible and sustainable and that they bring tangible benefits to citizens.

In this context, he added, it is necessary to preserve inclusive political dialogue and broad social consensus around EU membership.

Director for the Western Balkans, Valentina Superti, said in a video message that this is a decisive stage for Montenegro in the negotiation process and praised the significant progress made in the previous period, which resulted in a total of 14 closed chapters.

She pointed out that, with strong political will, Montenegro can close all the remaining chapters.

Veit said that Montenegro remains the most advanced country in the accession process.

“It is now important to redouble efforts and accelerate reforms to achieve results”, Veit said.