Montenegro closes its 13th EU accession negotiating chapter

Montenegro has thus closed 13 out of a total of 33 negotiating chapters in its accession talks with the European Union.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos recalled that Montenegro closed five negotiating chapters in December 2025 and that this momentum has continued this year as well. She also noted that Montenegro is marking 20 years since the restoration of its independence, meaning that 2026 will be marked not only by the celebration of this anniversary but also by dedicated work.

This is a good start to the year, and Montenegro is on track to close all remaining chapters by the end of 2026, Kos said.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said that the speed at which Montenegro is closing negotiating chapters proves that the enlargement process is still alive. Spajic also believes that Montenegro can close all negotiating chapters by the end of this year.

"Today's Intergovernmental Conference is proof that there are no shortcuts on the European path," he emphasised.

He also said that the European Union, in times of uncertainty, represents a pillar of peace, democracy, and the rule of law.

"There is no greater ideal than a united Europe. Montenegro is confidently moving toward that goal," Spajic added.

Chapter 32 – Financial Control refers to the adoption of internationally accepted standards in the areas of public internal financial control, external audit, and best practices of the European Union and their application across the entire public sector, as well as discipline and transparency in the use of national funds and European Union funds.

The Montenegrin government previously announced that the closing of Chapter 32 represents an important step forward on the path toward membership in the European Union.

So far, Montenegro has closed a total of 13 negotiating chapters in the EU accession process, which accounts for nearly 40 percent of the total number of chapters.

According to projections by Montenegrin officials, the country could become a full member of the European Union in 2027. Montenegro officially opened accession negotiations on 29 June 2012.

Montenegro is the first country to negotiate under the new principle whereby the most important chapters, Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), are opened at the beginning of the negotiation process and closed at its end.