Montenegro
Montenegro is linked to the EU through the Stabilization and Association Process, which is the contractual framework of cooperation, aiming at stabilizing the Western Balkans Partners, their transition to a market economy, the promotion of regional cooperation and the preparation for their eventual accession to the EU. As for Montenegro, the relevant Stabilization and Association Agreement entered into force on 1 May 2010. Moreover, following appropriate reform measures by Podgorica, the EU decided to issue visas to Montenegrin nationals on 19 December 2009.
Montenegro received the status of candidate country in December 2010 and its accession negotiations with the Union started on June 29, 2012. To date, all 35 negotiating chapters have been "opened" for negotiation, while 3 of them have been temporarily "closed".
The European Commission points out in its Report on Montenegro for 2020 that the intensification of efforts in critical areas of the rule of law, ensuring freedom of speech and independence of the media, and the fight against corruption must now be a priority as well as promoting judicial reform. The Commission notes in particular the full alignment of Montenegro with EU decisions on CFSP issues, as well as the fact that the country's EU integration has continued since the elections (August 2020) to be a declared strategic goal of Montenegro and to govern relevant policy decisions.
Our country supports the accession process of Montenegro and is in favor of advancing its accession negotiations on the basis of the country's progress in meeting the prerequisites set by the accession process on the basis of the principle of "own performance" and the pace of adjustment in the EU acquis. It is also noted that in the context of the General Affairs Council of June 22 i.e., an Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro was convened.
In order to actively support Montenegro in promoting its accession process, we have signed, at its request for provision of know-how on European issues, a relevant bilateral Memorandum on 29 June 2011.