France blocks Montenegro from closing two negotiation chapters

(Patria) - The European Union intergovernmental conference with Montenegro is scheduled to be held on December 16.

It is increasingly likely that Montenegro will close three chapters instead of the planned five. Namely, some media reported that representatives of France in the EU working bodies today blocked the closure of two chapters: 11 – Agriculture and rural development and 13 – Fisheries.

This information was confirmed to Antena M by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and SNP leader Vladimir Joković, who stated for that media outlet, among other things, that he believes France's decision is political in nature.

According to unofficial information, French representatives claimed that chapters 11 and 13 were not ready for closure and were not sufficiently aligned with EU acquis, without providing specific reasons for this stance.

Joković also announced that the relevant ministry has not received any explanation. Montenegro, in line with the new circumstances and contrary to optimistic expectations, will still close three chapters in the negotiations with the EU at the intergovernmental conference: 3 – Right of establishment and freedom to provide services, 4 – Free movement of capital, and 6 – Company law.

This was announced, as reported by RTCG, by sources from the EU Council after a meeting of the permanent representatives of the member states in Brussels.

However, the permanent representatives will meet once more over the weekend, before the intergovernmental conference, which could be a new opportunity for discussions on the potential closure of additional chapters.

Let us recall that last year, Croatia blocked the closure of chapter 31, which relates to foreign and security policy, due to a series of moves that damaged bilateral relations, especially the adoption of the resolution on the genocide in Jasenovac by the Montenegrin parliament.