In December 2010, Montenegro became candidate country for European Union (EU) membership. At the Summit in Brussels, heads of state and government of the EU confirmed the opening of negotiations on Montenegro’s accession on 29^th June 2012. After a positive decision, a new negotiations approach had been started with Montenegro, according to which Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security will remain open until the end of negotiating process. In that regard, the explanatory and bilateral screening meetings for these two chapters were the first to be held. For chapters 23 and 24 the explanatory screening meetings were held from 25^th to 29^th March 2012, while the bilateral screening meetings were held from 23^rd to 25^th May 2012 for chapter 24 and from 30^th to 31^st May 2012 for chapter 23.

In the negotiation process so far, two chapters had been opened and temporarily closed – on 18^th December 2012 the chapter 25 – Science and research had been opened and temporarily closed, and in April 2013 the chapter 26 – Education and culture had been opened and temporarily closed.

History of EU – Montenegro relations

At the referendum held on 21^st May 2006, Montenegro’s independence had been voted. In June 2006, the European Council confirmed the European perspective of the country by recognising its independence. In that same year in September, a political dialogue at the level of ministers had been established between the Government of Montenegro and the EU institutions. On the 22^nd January 2007, the EU Council adopted the decision on adoption of the new European partnership with Montenegro. The Government’s response was adoption of the Action Plan for implementation of recommendations of the European partnership in May 2007.

Montenegro signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) on 15^th October 2007, which came into force on 1^st May 2010, after ratification by the EU member states. The Agreement was ratified by the Parliament of Montenegro on 13^th November 2007. Meanwhile, Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters, which came into force on 1^st January 2008, was being implemented.

The procedure regarding the agreements between the EU and Montenegro on visa liberalisation and readmission followed, which started 1^st January 2008. Visa liberalisation came into force on 19^th December 2009, for all the Montenegrin citizens travelling to the Schengen zone countries.

Montenegro submitted its application for the EU membership on 15^th December 2008. In accordance with the Article 49 of the EU Agreement, on 23^rd April 2009, all member states requested from the European Commission to prepare its opinion on the application.

On 22^nd July 2009, the European Commissioner for Enlargement Mr Olli Rehn, submitted to the Government of Montenegro the Questionnaire to assist in preparation of assessment of the country’s readiness to fulfil the obligations imposed by the EU membership. The replies had been delivered on the 9^th December that year.

As of 2007, the European Commission has been regularly issuing Progress Reports on Montenegro. The last one was published on 10^th October 2012. The report states that the country achieved progress in establishing a functional market economy, improved capability of undertaking commitments stemming from the EU membership and still fulfils political criteria for the EU membership.

Montenegro received financial assistance from the EU under the Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). In the period from 2007 to 2013, Montenegro will receive assistance in the total amount of 235.2 million euros from IPA funds. Multi-annual Indicative Planning Document for Montenegro was adopted in November 2011, and entered into force on 1^st March 2012. The EU has provided financial support for development of civil society within the Mechanism for Support to Civil Society. Montenegro participates in the following EU Programmes: the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) and the Information and Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT-PSP), both within the framework program for competitiveness and innovation, as well as the Programmes Culture 2007 - 2013 and Customs 2013.

Diplomatic relations between Montenegro and the European Community are led via Montenegro’s Mission in Brussels, which is completely operational since 2006, and the EU Delegation to Montenegro, in Podgorica, which started working in November 2007.

Important dates in Montenegro’s accession to the EU process