Montenegro is very likely to close three of the five expected chapters in negotiations with the European Union (EU) by the end of the year, after French representatives in the working bodies of that "Union" today blocked the "delisting" of two chapters - chapter 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development) and chapter 13 (Fisheries).
The French expressed this at the meeting of the EU Council Working Group (COELA), held yesterday, learns "News".
Meanwhile, the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the member states (COREPER II) has also concluded, in which this decision was confirmed.
According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", French representatives have claimed, among other things, that chapters 11 and 13 are not ready to be closed and that they are not sufficiently harmonized with EU rules, without giving concrete reasons for this position.
After the COREPER II meeting, the matter moves to the intergovernmental conference, i.e. at ministerial level (ministers of foreign affairs or European affairs within the EU General Affairs Council), where it is expected that three chapters will finally be closed - 3 (Right of establishment and freedom to provide services), 4 (Freedom of movement of capital) and 6 (Trade law).
Although France's decision could be reversed at the ministerial level, the likelihood of this happening is very small.
Negotiations for Montenegro's EU membership began on June 29, 2012. Since then, Podgorica has opened all chapters (33) and provisionally closed seven, of which three at the end of last year and one in June this year. /Telegraph/
