Groen licht voor EU-toetredingsonderhandelingen Montenegro (en)

The Council endorsed today the Commission's assessment that Montenegro has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria, and in particular the political criteria set by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, to start accession negotiations. In this regard, the Council underlined the particular importance it attaches to the area of the rule of law and fundamental rights, and urged Montenegro to tackle the issues of concern identified by the Commission in its latest progress report, especially the independence of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and the need for Montenegro to step up its efforts in order to establish a solid track record in the course of the negotiations. The accession negotiations will start with the analytical screening of Montenegro's legislation. The accession negotiations will start with the analytical screening of Montenegro's legislation and the next screening meeting is scheduled for 25 September.