Podgorica, (MINA) - Montenegro has closed 14 chapters in the negotiations with the EU, but the most difficult part of the process and significant work still lie ahead, said Chief Negotiator Predrag Zenovic during a meeting with members of the Working Party on Enlargement (COELA).

The Ministry of European Affairs (MEA) announced that on Thursday, at Montenegro’s Mission to the EU in Brussels, Zenovic held a meeting with representatives of EU member states within the COELA framework, where strong support for Montenegro’s European path and the goal of provisionally closing all chapters by the end of the year was reaffirmed.

According to the Ministry’s press release, the detailed pace of work across all open negotiation chapters were presented at the meeting, including specific reform steps, legislative activities and institutional strengthening associated with each individual chapter.

Zenovic pointed out that Montenegro has already closed 14 negotiation chapters, but that the most difficult phase of the process and significant amount of work still lie ahead.

According to him, the negotiation process is conducted strictly according to the merit-based principle, under which Montenegro is treated in each chapter as a future member, rather than just a candidate.

The Ministry stated that COELA representatives expressed strong support and interest in Montenegro’s continued progress, especially welcoming intensive and ongoing communication with EU institutions and bilateral engagement with member states.