Montenegro to conclude accession negotiations in December alongside agreement on financial package, active observer status in EU bodies until membership

The priority ahead of the conclusion of accession negotiations with Montenegro, which could take place in December, will be to reach an agreement on the financial package, institutional arrangements, including the necessary safeguards, as well as to close all negotiating chapters.

This is stated in the European Commission’s (EC) Communication on Enlargement Policy, the overarching document of this year’s Enlargement Package, which, alongside assessments of the progress made by candidate countries, also sets out key priorities in the European Union (EU) accession process.

According to the document, an information and consultation procedure will be established to ensure that Montenegro remains informed about developments in the European Union’s (EU) acquis during the period between the signing of the Accession Treaty and its entry into force.

Following the final Intergovernmental Conference, which will formally conclude the accession negotiations, and until Montenegro joins the EU, the country is expected to hold active observer status in most of the working parties of the Council of the EU, as well as in the European Commission’s expert groups and committees.

This will enable Montenegro to familiarise itself with the working methods of EU institutions, the document states.

This year’s Enlargement Report on Montenegro could be the last of its kind for the country, as it is expected to be replaced by reports monitoring the implementation of reforms starting next year.