• European Commission
• Enlargement
• Candidate countries
• Montenegro
• EU Montenegro relations

Montenegro - EU Montenegro relations

Montenegro's European perspective was reaffirmed by the EU Council in June 2006, after the recognition of the country's independence by the EU member states. A European partnership with Montenegro was adopted by the Council on 22 January 2007. The Montenegrin government adopted an action plan for its implementation on 17 May 2007.

The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the country was signed on 15 October 2007 and entered into force on 1 May 2010. It superseded the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues , which entered into force on 1 January 2008.

On 15 December 2008, Montenegro submitted its application for EU membership. On 9 November 2010, the Commission adopted its Opinion on the country's application and recommended to the European Council to grant Montenegro the status of candidate country. The Commission also defined seven key priorities that Montenegro should meet to start accession negotiations. On 17 December 2010, the European Council endorsed these key priorities and granted candidate status to Montenegro.

On its latest progress report, released in October 2011, the Commission assessed that the country has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria, in particular has met the key priorities set out in the Commission's Opinion. Therefore, it has recommended to the European Council to open accession negotiations with Montenegro. On 9 December 2011, welcoming the European Commission assessment, the European Council has launched the accession process for Montenegro with a view to opening accession negotiations in June 2012, following a report prepared by the European Commission focussing of the rule of law and fundamental rights. The European Council has also tasked the European Commission to present a proposal for a framework for negotiations with Montenegro incorporating the new approach as regards chapters 23 and 24, covering respectively the judiciary and fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security. Moreover, it has asked the Commission to start the process of analytical examination of the acquis communautaire (screening) on the two above-mentioned chapters.

Visa Facilitation and Readmission agreements with the EU have been in force since 1 January 2008. On 19 December 2009, visa liberalisation for Montenegrin citizens traveling to the Schengen area entered into force.

The EU is the main trading partner of the country. In 2010, foreign direct investments represented 17,5 % of the GDP from which 75.6% are from the EU. Trade with the EU represented in 2010 (goods only) 56% of the exports and 34% of the imports. Main trading partners in the EU are Greece, Italy and Germany. The main source of export revenues are tourism and metal industry.

Key dates in Montenegro's path towards the EU:

9 December 2011- The European council launched accession process with Montenegro in a view to open accession negotiations in June 2012

17 December 2010 - European Council confirms Montenegro as candidate country

1 May 2010 - Entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)

19 December 2009 – Montenegro achieves visa liberalisation with the EU.

15 December 2008 - Montenegro submits its application for EU membership

1 January 2008 - Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related issues and Visa facilitation and readmission agreements enter into force.

15 October 2007- The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is signed in Luxembourg

22 January 2007 - The Council adopts a European Partnership for Montenegro.

3 June 2006 - The Montenegrin Parliament declares independence following a referendum 21 May which results by the vote of a majority of Montenegrin voters (55.5%) in favor the of independence.

Detailed time line of EU relations with Montenegro