Montenegro is entering the final phase of EU accession negotiations with clear priorities, measurable results, and readiness to conclude the process, said EU chief negotiator Predrag Zenović.
At a meeting of the Subcommittee on Agriculture and Fisheries held in Brussels, Zenović emphasized the importance of chapters 11, 12, and 13, which cover agriculture and rural development, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary controls, and fisheries. These areas link the economy, security, and public trust with EU policies that directly impact quality of life.
Zenović noted that all key legal and institutional mechanisms for implementing the Common Agricultural Policy have been established, including the creation of the Payment Agency and the IACS system. Laws and action plans for strengthening administrative, control, and inspection capacities under chapter 13 have also been adopted, demonstrating readiness for the provisional closure of chapters 11 and 13.
Negotiator Andrija Delić highlighted that joint efforts between Montenegro and the EU have driven significant progress in agriculture, fisheries, and food safety. Provisional closure of chapters 11 and 13 will support continued reforms, strengthen administrative capacities, and prepare Montenegro for full implementation of the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policy upon accession.
Heinke Veit, Deputy Head for Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the EU Directorate for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, noted the meeting came at a critical stage in Montenegro’s EU accession process. She praised Montenegro’s entry into the SEPA zone, the provisional closure of chapter 5 on public procurement, and the adoption of negotiation positions and compliance reports for chapters 11 and 13.
The Ministry of European Affairs stated that the meeting confirmed Montenegro’s continuous progress in EU negotiations and its readiness to complete the accession process through reforms, strengthened administrative capacities, and full implementation of EU policies in agriculture and fisheries.
