The European Commission has recommended the closure of Montenegro’s negotiating chapters 23 and 24, bringing the country closer to its 2028 EU membership target and marking a significant development in its accession process.
The recommendation follows an assessment that Montenegro has fulfilled the requirements for closing the chapters covering judiciary, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security. EU Ambassador Johan Sattler confirmed the Commission’s position, while stressing that formal closure remains subject to approval by EU member states.
Progress on these chapters also carries implications for Montenegro’s investment climate. Judicial independence, contract enforcement, corruption controls and regulatory predictability are among the institutional factors considered by investors when assessing business opportunities.
Montenegro continues to attract substantial investment in tourism, real estate, energy and infrastructure. However, larger institutional investors generally require confidence in the functioning of courts, permitting procedures and public procurement systems.
Closing chapters 23 and 24 would indicate that EU institutions consider the country’s legal and institutional framework sufficiently developed to advance towards the final stages of accession, although it would not eliminate the remaining institutional risks. The recommendation comes amid discussions among EU member states about potential safeguard provisions in future accession treaties. Consequently, Montenegro could still face transitional conditions even if its negotiations proceed according to schedule.
For businesses, progress towards membership means greater certainty around the 2028 accession target, while increasing the need to prepare for EU competition, customs, environmental and corporate regulations. The next step is approval by EU member states, which must endorse the European Commission’s recommendation before both negotiating chapters can be formally closed.
