LITHUANIAN EU COUNCIL PRESIDENCY MAKES A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN MONTENEGRO’S EU ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS
On 18 December in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius chaired the Intergovernmental Conference, which opened five new chapters in talks with Montenegro.
“This important and awaited progress in Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations is a real breakthrough in line with the Lithuanian Presidency’s priority for an open Europe. I would like to use this opportunity to welcome the huge work done by the Montenegrin administration and the devotion to the accession process of political leadership,” L.Linkevičius said.
These key chapters consolidating the rule of law were opened: 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security). According to the New Approach principle, enshrined in the mandate for negotiations with Montenegro, the progress made with respect to these two chapters determines whole negotiation process. The chapters on public procurement, company law, enterprise and industrial policy were also opened.
“Today we are celebrating the opening of five new negotiating chapters, but most complex work still lies ahead. Therefore, I would like to stress the need now to further intensify the reform process together with a swift implementation within the set timelines,” L.Linkevičius said.
L.Linkevičius chaired the Intergovernmental Conference and headed the EU’s delegation. The Montenegrin delegation was led by Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić. The delegation was made up of Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković and the Minister of the Interior Raško Konjević. The Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle represented the EU Commission.
Adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) following the accession of Croatia was another important highlight. Montenegro has been the first Western Balkan country to adapt the SAA since Croatia’s accession to the European Union. The SAA is a major step towards joining the EU. The agreement focuses primarily on economic and political aims as well as regional cooperation.
