Political Negotiations Delay EU Accession Talks for Montenegro

Political analyst Danilo Kalezić has highlighted the complexities involved in Montenegro’s European Union accession negotiations, emphasizing that rapid resolutions are unrealistic. His comments come in light of recent developments surrounding the closure of negotiating chapters, which were expected to be finalized at a meeting in Brussels.

The anticipated progress towards EU membership faced a setback on Friday when it was revealed that only three out of the five chapters would be closed. These included Chapter 3 (Right of Establishment and Freedom to Provide Services), Chapter 4 (Free Movement of Capital), and Chapter 6 (Company Law). The delay resulted from France’s intervention, which blocked the closure of Chapter 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development) and Chapter 13 (Fisheries) during a meeting of the EU Council Working Group.

Kalezić explained that this French decision is indicative of broader political negotiations that extend beyond the specific chapters in question. He noted that the French Minister of Agriculture had expressed concerns over the lack of implementation of recommendations dating back to the previous year, as well as issues related to poor communication with Montenegro’s Ministry of Agriculture over the past three years.

Montenegro’s Minister of Agriculture, Vladimir Joković, responded to these claims, asserting that France, like the other 26 EU member states, had provided a positive opinion on Montenegro’s progress. He emphasized that the narratives suggesting Montenegro was at fault for the French block are inaccurate and stated, “We have performed well and achieved significant results.”

The diplomatic efforts of Milojko Spajić, Montenegro’s Prime Minister, alongside his team and Maida Gorčević, the Minister of European Integration, were pivotal. Following intensive communications with French President Emmanuel Macron, officials received encouraging news that all five chapters could eventually be closed.

Reflecting on the situation, Kalezić criticized the current government for what he termed a “simulation of reforms.” He indicated that while the government has managed to create the appearance of progress at a technical level, substantive advancements remain elusive. He stressed the importance of addressing critical issues in the integration process and the need for constructive feedback from EU member states.

Kalezić pointed out that the real concerns extend beyond the specific chapters being discussed. He noted that such diplomatic interactions often serve as a platform for countries to voice broader grievances, which may not be directly related to the technical aspects of the negotiations.

He further commented on the complexity of the situation, cautioning against oversimplifying the role of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in the negotiations. Kalezić explained that attributing significant influence to Vučić in blocking negotiations misrepresents the intricate nature of Montenegrin-French relations and the underlying strategic interests at play.

Montenegro has held candidate status since December 2010 and officially opened accession talks in June 2012. To date, it has opened all 33 negotiation chapters. Today’s conference is expected to set the stage for drafting the accession treaty with the EU, with Montenegro having met the requirements for closing Chapter 31 (External, Security, and Defence Policy). However, a final decision remains pending due to requests from Croatia.

In summary, the ongoing negotiations illustrate the challenges Montenegro faces on its path to EU membership. The interplay between national interests, regional dynamics, and international diplomacy will continue to shape the future of these discussions.