Accession of Montenegro to the European Union

Accession of Montenegro to the European Union (EU) is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU.

Montenegrin EU accession bid
Status
Candidate
Negotiating ✔️
Screened ✔️
Applied15 December 2008
Approved17 December 2010
AdmittedNo
(Entry possible by 2025)[1]
Website
Progress
Screening Progress
Ratification Progress
Statistics
EU averageMontenegro
PPP GDP ($M)552,780$12,417
PPP per capita ($)40,600$19,931 (2020 est.) [2]
Area (km2)165,04813,812
Population18,583,598621,873
Montenegro
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Montenegro
Constitution
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
  • Supreme Court
  • Constitutional Court
Political parties
Recent elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro started the process of Accession to the European Union in November 2005, when negotiations over a Stabilisation and Association Agreement began. In May 2006, Montenegro voted for independence in a referendum and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was dissolved. Serbia continued with the existing negotiations, and separate negotiations were launched with Montenegro in September 2006.[3][4] The Agreement was initialled on 15 March 2007 and officially signed on 15 October 2007. In 2010, the Commission issued a favourable opinion on Montenegro's application, identifying seven key priorities that would need to be addressed for negotiations to begin, and the Council granted it candidate status. In December 2011, the Council launched the accession process with a view to opening negotiations in June 2012. The accession negotiations with Montenegro subsequently began on 29 June 2012. With all the negotiating chapters opened, the country enjoys a widespread support among EU members' officials, and accession of the country to the EU is considered possible by 2025.[5] In its 2016 assessment of the accession progress, European Commission has identified Montenegro as having the highest level of preparation for membership among the negotiating states. Until 2020, Montenegro had received €507 million of developmental aid from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries.

Application

Montenegro officially applied to join the EU on 15 December 2008.[6] On 23 April 2009, the Council invited the European Commission to submit its opinion on the application. The Commission presented Montenegro with a questionnaire to assess its application on 22 July 2009.[7] On 9 December 2009, Montenegro delivered its answers to the EC questionnaire.[8]

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

Negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between Montenegro and the European Union started in September 2006.[9] The agreement was officially signed on 15 October 2007, and on 1 May 2010 it came into force, after all the 27 member-states of EU had ratified the SAA.[10][11]

Status of SAA ratification
Event North Macedonia [12] Croatia [13] Albania [14] Montenegro [15][Note 1] Bosnia and
Herzegovina [17]		 Serbia [18][Note 2] Kosovo* [19][Note 3]
SAA negotiations start 2000-04-05 2000-11-24 2003-01-31 2005-10-10 2005-11-25 2005-10-10 2013-10-28[21]
SAA initialled 2000-11-24 2001-05-14 2006-02-28 2007-03-15 2007-12-04 2007-11-07 2014-07-25[22]
SAA/IA signature 2001-04-09 2001-10-29 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2008-04-29 2015-10-27[23]
Interim Agreement:
EC ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2009-12-08 N/A [Note 4]
SAP state ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-10-09 2007-11-14 2008-06-20 2008-09-22 N/A [Note 4]
entry into force 2001-06-01 2002-03-01 2006-12-01 2008-01-01 2008-07-01 2010-02-01 N/A [Note 4]
Deposit of the instrument of ratification:
SAP state 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-11-09 2007-11-13 2009-02-26 2008-09-22 2016-02-26
Austria 2002-09-06 2002-03-15 2008-05-21 2008-07-04 2009-09-04 2011-01-13 N/A
Belgium 2003-12-29 2003-12-17 2008-10-22 2010-03-29 2010-03-29 2012-03-20 N/A
Bulgaria entered the EU later 2008-05-30 2009-03-13 2010-08-12 N/A
Croatia entered the EU later N/A
Cyprus entered the EU later 2008-05-30 2008-11-20 2009-07-02 2010-11-26 N/A
Czech Republic entered the EU later 2008-05-07 2009-02-19 2009-07-23 2011-01-28 N/A
Denmark 2002-04-10 2002-05-08 2008-04-24 2008-06-25 2009-05-26 2011-03-04 N/A
Estonia entered the EU later 2007-10-17 2007-11-22 2008-09-11 2010-08-19 N/A
Finland 2004-01-06 2004-01-06 2007-11-29 2009-03-18 2009-04-07 2011-10-21 N/A
France 2003-06-04 2003-06-04 2009-02-12 2009-07-30 2011-02-10 2012-01-16 N/A
Germany 2002-06-20 2002-10-18 2009-02-19 2009-11-16 2009-08-14 2012-02-24 N/A
Greece 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 2009-02-26 2010-03-04 2010-09-20 2011-03-10 N/A
Hungary entered the EU later 2007-04-23 2008-05-14 2008-10-22 2010-11-16 N/A
Ireland 2002-05-06 2002-05-06 2007-06-11 2009-06-04 2009-06-04 2011-09-29 N/A
Italy 2003-10-30 2004-10-06 2008-01-07 2009-10-13 2010-09-08 2011-01-06 N/A
Latvia entered the EU later 2006-12-19 2008-10-17 2009-11-12 2011-05-30 N/A
Lithuania entered the EU later 2007-05-17 2009-03-04 2009-05-04 2013-06-26 N/A
Luxembourg 2003-07-28 2003-08-01 2007-07-04 2009-06-11 2010-12-22 2011-01-21 N/A
Malta entered the EU later 2008-04-21 2008-12-11 2010-01-07 2010-07-06 N/A
Netherlands 2002-09-09 2004-04-30 2007-12-10 2009-01-29 2009-09-30 2012-02-27 N/A
Poland entered the EU later 2007-04-14 2009-02-06 2010-04-07 2012-01-13 N/A
Portugal 2003-07-14 2003-07-14 2008-07-11 2008-09-23 2009-06-29 2011-03-04 N/A
Romania entered the EU later 2009-01-15 2010-01-08 2012-05-22 N/A
Slovakia entered the EU later 2007-07-20 2008-07-29 2009-03-17 2010-11-11 N/A
Slovenia entered the EU later 2007-01-18 2008-02-07 2009-03-10 2010-12-07 N/A
Spain 2002-10-04 2002-10-04 2007-05-03 2009-03-12 2010-06-15 2010-06-21 N/A
Sweden 2002-06-25 2003-03-27 2007-03-21 2009-03-11 2009-09-14 2011-04-15 N/A
United Kingdom 2002-12-17 2004-09-03 2007-10-16 2010-01-12 2010-04-20 2011-08-11 N/A
European Communities or
European Union and Euratom		 2004-02-25 2004-12-21 2009-02-26 2010-03-29 2015-04-30 2013-07-22 2016-02-24 [Note 5]
SAA entry into force 2004-04-01 2005-02-01 2009-04-01 2010-05-01 2015-06-01 2013-09-01 2016-04-01[27]
EU membership (SAA lapsed) (TBD) 2013-07-01 (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD)

N/A: Not applicable.

  1. Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro (SiM). Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.[16]
  2. Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of SiM, with a modified mandate from July 2006.
  3. Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008. Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement. Kosovo is currently (this note self-updates) recognized as an independent state by 98 out of the 193 United Nations member states. In total, 113 UN member states recognized Kosovo at some point, of which 15 later withdrew their recognition. The European Union remains divided on its policy towards Kosovo, with five EU member states not recognizing its independence. The EU launched a Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism for Kosovo on 6 November 2002 with the aim of aligning its policy with EU standards. On 10 October 2012 the European Commission found that there were no legal obstacles to Kosovo signing a SAA with the EU, as independence is not required for such an agreement.[20]
  4. No Interim Agreement associated with Kosovo's SAA was concluded.[24]
  5. Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently.[21][25][26]

Recommendation

The European Commission on 9 November 2010 recommended Montenegro as candidate country. This candidate status was officially granted on 17 December 2010.[28]

Progress

Montenegro is experiencing ecological, judicial and crime-related problems that may hinder its bid.[29] Montenegro signed an agreement with the Bulgarian government in December 2007 in which Bulgaria will assist Montenegro with its Euro-Atlantic and EU integration for the following three years.[30] To work on these matters the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro has a special agency dedicated to accession to the EU, the Office for assistance to the Chief Negotiator. The goal of the office is to support the task of the Chief Negotiator for Montenegro's Accession to EU, Zorka Kordić. On 27 July 2010, the Parliament passed a non-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of discrimination. This was one of the requirements the country had to meet for EU membership.[31]

Domestic opinion

Montenegro's population is overwhelmingly pro-EU, with 76.2% being in favour according to polling and only 9.8% against, in October 2009.[32]

Chronology of relations with the EU

Timeline[33]
Date Event
22 January 2007Council adopts European Partnership for Montenegro
15 October 2007Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) signed in Luxembourg
1 January 2008Agreements on trade and trade-related matters, visa facilitation, and readmission enter into force
15 December 2008Montenegro applies for EU membership; formal application for membership submitted
22 July 2009Commission applied Questionnaire to the Montenegro.
9 December 2009Montenegro submits answers to the Commission's Questionnaire.
19 December 2009Visa requirement lifted for Montenegrins visiting the EU
12 April 2010Montenegro submits additional answers to the Commission's Questionnaire.
1 May 2010Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) enters into force
9 November 2010European Commission replies to the answers of the Questionnaire with a positive opinion (Avis).
17 December 2010Montenegro receives official candidate status.
12 October 2011Commission recommends starting of negotiations.[34]
26 March 2012Screening started.
26 June 2012European Council sets a target date of 29 June for the beginning of accession negotiations.[35]
29 June 2012Accession negotiations begin with the screening process.
18 December 2012Chapter 25 Science and Research is opened and provisionally closed.
15 April 2013The first accession conference is held in Brussels. Chapter 26 Education and Culture is opened and provisionally closed.[citation needed]
27 June 2013Screening completed[36]
18 December 2013Five chapters are opened (Chapter 5 - Public procurement; Chapter 6 - Company law; Chapter 20 - Enterprise and industrial policy; Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights; Chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security)
31 March 2014Two chapters are opened (Chapter 7 – Intellectual property rights and 10 – Information society and media)
24 June 2014Three chapters are opened (Chapter 4 – Free movement of capitals, Chapter 31 – Foreign, security and defence policy, Chapter 32 – Financial control)
16 December 2014Four chapters are opened (Chapters 18 – Statistics, Chapter 28 – Consumer and health protection, Chapter 29 – Customs Union, Chapter 33 – Financial and budgetary provisions)
30 March 2015Two chapters are opened (Chapter 16 – Taxation, Chapter 30 – External relations)
22 June 2015Two chapters are opened (Chapter – Financial services and Chapter 21 – Trans-European Networks)
21 December 2015Two chapters are opened (Chapter 14 – Transport policy and Chapter 15 – Energy)
30 June 2016Two chapters are opened (Chapter 12 – Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy and Chapter 13 – Fisheries)
13 December 2016Two chapters are opened (Chapter 11 - Agriculture and rural development and Chapter 19 - Social policy and employment)
20 June 2017Two chapters are opened (Chapter 1 - free movement of goods and Chapter 22 - regional policy) and one chapter is provisionally closed (Chapter 30 - External relations)
11 December 2017Two chapters are opened (Chapter 2: Freedom of movement for workers and Chapter 3: Right of establishment and freedom to provide services)
25 June 2018One chapter is opened (Chapter 17: Economic and monetary policy)
10 December 2018One chapter is opened (Chapter 27: Environment and climate change)
30 June 2020One chapter is opened (Chapter 8: Competition Policy)

Visa liberalisation process

On 1 January 2008, the visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Montenegro and the EU entered into force.[37] Montenegro was added to the list of visa exempt nationals on 19 December 2009, allowing their citizens to enter the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania without a visa when traveling with biometric passports.[38] Visa liberalisation process does not include travels to Ireland or the United Kingdom as these countries operate their own respective visa regimes outside of the Schengen Agreement.

Unilateral euro adoption

Main article: Montenegro and the euro

Montenegro has no currency of its own. As a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia following World War II, and later of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav dinar was the official currency in Montenegro. In November 1999, the government of Montenegro unilaterally designated the Deutsche Mark as its co-official currency with the dinar, and on 1 January 2001 the dinar officially ceased to be a legal tender in Montenegro.[39][40] When the euro was introduced and the Deutsche Mark yielded in 2002, Montenegro followed suit and began using the euro as well, with no objection from the European Central Bank (ECB).[41][42] The European Commission and the ECB have since voiced their discontent over Montenegro's unilateral use of the euro on several occasions".[43] A statement attached to their Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU read: "unilateral introduction of the euro was not compatible with the Treaty."[44] The EU insists on the strict adherence to convergence criteria (such as spending at least 2 years in the ERMII system) which are not negotiable before euro adoption, but have not intervened to stop the unilateral adoption of the euro by Montenegro in 2002.[43][45] The issue is expected to be resolved through the negotiations process.[43] The ECB has stated that the implications of unilateral euro adoption "would be spelled out at the latest in the event of possible negotiations on EU accession."[44] Diplomats have suggested that it's unlikely Montenegro will be forced to withdraw the euro from circulation in their country.[41][44] Radoje Žugić, Montenegro's Minister of Finance, has stated that "it would be extremely economically irrational to return to our own currency and then later to again go back to the euro."[46] Instead, he hopes that Montenegro will be permitted to keep the euro and has promised "the government of Montenegro, will adopt some certain elements, which should fulfil the conditions for further use of the euro; such as adopting fiscal rules."[46]

Negotiation progress

There are currently thirty chapters opened, three chapters that have been provisionally closed, and two chapters in which there is nothing to adopt.

Chapter and Accession Dates
Progression33 / 33 33 / 33 33 / 33 3 / 33
Acquis chapterScreening startedScreening completedChapter openedChapter closed
Overview33 out of 3333 out of 3333 out of 33[47]3 out of 33[47]
1. Free Movement of Goods2013-01-142013-03-062017-06-20–
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers2013-05-132013-06-072017-12-11[48]–
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services2012-10-232012-11-302017-12-11[48]–
4. Free Movement of Capital2013-01-182013-02-212014-06-24[49]–
5. Public Procurement2012-09-272012-11-192013-12-18–
6. Company Law2012-10-022012-11-222013-12-18–
7. Intellectual Property Law2012-10-112012-11-212014-03-31–
8. Competition Policy2012-10-032012-12-042020-06-30–
9. Financial Services2013-04-172013-06-112015-06-22[50]–
10. Information Society & Media2012-12-062013-01-222014-03-31–
11. Agriculture & Rural Development2012-11-062012-12-132016-12-13–
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy2012-10-152013-02-012016-06-30–
13. Fisheries2013-03-142013-06-062016-06-30–
14. Transport Policy2013-04-222013-05-302015-12-21–
15. Energy2013-02-272013-04-112015-12-21–
16. Taxation2013-04-082013-04-302015-03-30–
17. Economic & Monetary Policy2013-01-102013-02-262018-06-25–
18. Statistics2013-06-032013-06-252014-12-16[51]–
19. Social Policy & Employment2013-01-232013-03-132016-12-13–
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy2012-10-252012-11-282013-12-18–
21. Trans-European Networks2013-04-222013-05-302015-06-22[50]–
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments2012-11-142012-12-182017-06-20–
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights2012-03-26[52]2012-05-312013-12-18–
24. Justice, Freedom & Security2012-03-28[52]2012-05-252013-12-18–
25. Science & Research2012-09-242012-09-252012-12-182012-12-18[53]
26. Education & Culture2012-09-262012-11-162013-04-152013-04-15[54]
27. Environment & Climate Change2013-02-042013-03-222018-12-10[55]–
28. Consumer & Health Protection2013-02-192013-04-162014-12-16[51]–
29. Customs Union2013-05-232013-06-212014-12-16[51]–
30. External Relations2013-05-142013-06-122015-03-302017-06-20
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy2013-05-172013-06-272014-06-24[49]–
32. Financial Control2013-05-162013-06-192014-06-24[49]–
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions2013-05-152013-06-262014-12-16[51]–
34. InstitutionsN/AN/AN/AN/A
35. Other IssuesN/AN/AN/AN/A
October 2020 European Commission Report[56]
Acquis chapterChapter StatusAbility to Assume Acquis
Overview
  • 30 chapters open
  • 3 chapters provisionally closed
  • 2 chapters with nothing to adopt

Opened

  • 1 chapter at an early stage
  • 4 chapters with some level of preparation
  • 18 chapters with a moderate level of preparation
  • 7 chapters with a good level of preparation

Closed

  • 3 chapters with good level of preparation
1. Free Movement of GoodsOpenModerately prepared
2. Freedom of Movement For WorkersOpenSome level of preparation
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide ServicesOpenModerately prepared
4. Free Movement of CapitalOpenModerately prepared
5. Public ProcurementOpenModerately prepared
6. Company LawOpenGood level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property LawOpenGood level of preparation
8. Competition PolicyOpenModerately prepared
9. Financial ServicesOpenModerately prepared
10. Information Society & MediaOpenModerately prepared
11. Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentOpenModerately prepared
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary PolicyOpenModerately prepared
13. FisheriesOpenSome level of preparation
14. Transport PolicyOpenGood level of preparation
15. EnergyOpenGood level of preparation
16. TaxationOpenModerately prepared
17. Economic & Monetary PolicyOpenModerately prepared
18. StatisticsOpenModerately prepared
19. Social Policy & EmploymentOpenSome level of preparation
20. Enterprise & Industrial PolicyOpenGood level of preparation
21. Trans-European NetworksOpenGood level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural InstrumentsOpenModerately prepared
23. Judiciary & Fundamental RightsOpenModerately prepared
24. Justice, Freedom & SecurityOpenModerately prepared
25. Science & ResearchProvisionally closedGood level of preparation
26. Education & CultureProvisionally closedGood level of preparation
27. Environment & Climate ChangeOpenSome level of preparation
28. Consumer & Health ProtectionOpenModerately prepared
29. Customs UnionOpenModerately prepared
30. External RelationsProvisionally closedGood level of preparation
31. Foreign, Security & Defence PolicyOpenGood level of preparation
32. Financial ControlOpenModerately prepared
33. Financial & Budgetary ProvisionsOpenEarly stage
34. InstitutionsNothing to adoptNothing to adopt
35. Other IssuesNothing to adoptNothing to adopt
Legend:

Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters.

indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately preparded" AND "good level of preparation".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

Report History
Acquis chapterOctober 2011[57] October 2012[58] October 2013[59] October 2014[60] November 2015[61] November 2016[62] April 2018[63] May 2019[64] October 2020[65]
1. Free Movement of GoodsModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
2. Freedom of Movement For WorkersEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide ServicesFurther efforts neededModerately preparedConsiderable efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
4. Free Movement of CapitalSome level of preparationFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
5. Public ProcurementFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
6. Company LawFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property LawFurther efforts neededModerately preparedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
8. Competition PolicyFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
9. Financial ServicesFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
10. Information Society & MediaModerately preparedModerately preparedFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
11. Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageSome level of preparationModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary PolicyEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageSome level of preparationModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
13. FisheriesFurther efforts neededEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
14. Transport PolicyFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
15. EnergyModerately preparedEarly stageModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
16. TaxationFurther efforts neededEarly stageModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
17. Economic & Monetary PolicyConsiderable efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
18. StatisticsModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedSome level of preparationSome level of preparationModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
19. Social Policy & EmploymentEarly stageConsiderable efforts neededFurther efforts neededEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
20. Enterprise & Industrial PolicyConsiderable efforts neededFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedGood level of preparation
21. Trans-European NetworksFurther efforts neededEarly stageModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedGood level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural InstrumentsEarly stageConsiderable efforts neededEarly stageEarly stageModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
23. Judiciary & Fundamental RightsFurther efforts neededModerately preparedFurther efforts neededFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
24. Justice, Freedom & SecurityFurther efforts neededModerately preparedFurther efforts neededEarly stageModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
25. Science & ResearchModerately preparedFurther efforts neededGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
26. Education & CultureModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
27. Environment & Climate ChangeConsiderable efforts neededEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
28. Consumer & Health ProtectionFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedNo major difficulties expectedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
29. Customs UnionFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
30. External RelationsFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedNo major difficulties expectedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
31. Foreign, Security & Defence PolicyFurther efforts neededModerately preparedModerately preparedNo major difficulties expectedGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparationGood level of preparation
32. Financial ControlSome level of preparationEarly stageModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
33. Financial & Budgetary ProvisionsEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
34. InstitutionsNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adopt
35. Other IssuesNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adoptNothing to adopt
Legend:

Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters.

indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

Impact of joining

Member countries Population Area (km²) GDP
(billion US$)		 GDP
per capita (US$)		 Languages
 Montenegro 621,873 13,812 5.68 9,116 Montenegrin
EU27 447,706,209 4,138,071 14,550 32,563 24
EU27+1 448,328,082
(+0.15%)		 4,151,883
(+0.33%)		 14,555.68
(+0.04%)		 32,531
(−0.09%)		 25

See also

References

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  2. World Factbook, CIA, accessed on 21 June 2017
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  18. "SAA Agreement with Serbia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  19. "SAA Agreement with Kosovo*". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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