Montenegro expects to close all EU negotiating chapters by year‑end
Minister Maida Gorčević says parliamentary adoption of constitutional changes opens the way for Podgorica to finish EU negotiating chapters by year‑end.
Montenegro said it expects to complete the technical phase of its EU accession talks and close all remaining negotiating chapters before the end of 2026, the country’s Minister of European Affairs said after parliament adopted constitutional changes. The amendments address the composition and powers of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the Central Bank, steps Montenegro sees as essential for meeting EU rule-of-law benchmarks.
Maida Gorčević called the parliamentary vote a demonstration of national responsibility and consensus around Montenegro’s strategic goal of joining the European Union. She also emphasised that constitutional reform is a demanding process that tests the maturity of any democracy.
([en.vijesti.me](https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/politika/823471/Gorcevic-adoption-of-constitutional-amendments-an-indicator-of-responsibility-of-political-actors?utm_source=openai))Next steps and political context
The amendments were adopted at an extraordinary session of the Parliament held on 24 August 2026, clearing legislative obstacles tied to several chapters—including those related to the judiciary and financial governance—and allowing Podgorica to finalise remaining technical benchmarks with Brussels.
([rtcg.me](https://rtcg.me/vijesti/politika/864745/gorcevic-vlada-i-parlament-nece-imati-odmor-zbog-zatvaranja-poglavlja.html?utm_source=openai))Gorčević said on the social platform X that the vote fulfils obligations from the EU agenda to strengthen the rule of law and implements the criteria tied to Chapter 17. She framed the adoption as proof that Montenegro is prepared to responsibly contribute to the wider European democratic space.
([en.vijesti.me](https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/politika/823471/Gorcevic-adoption-of-constitutional-amendments-an-indicator-of-responsibility-of-political-actors?utm_source=openai))Officials now face a short, intensive schedule of technical work to complete the outstanding requirements; after the technical closure of chapters, the next phase will focus on finalising an accession treaty and its ratification by all 27 EU member states.
([gov.me](https://www.gov.me/en/article/montenegro-closes-chapters-8-and-29-at-the-intergovernmental-conference-in-brussels?utm_source=openai))Photo: press material from the event
