Significant activities carried out during last year in the three negotiating chapters that directly concern the economy, as well as the fulfilment of the obligations arising from membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), have shown that Montenegro successfully implements reforms necessary for faster EU accession, said the managing director for multilateral and regional trade cooperation and economic relations with foreign ministries in the Ministry of Economy Goran Scepanovic.
In an interview with Dnevne Novine, he pointed out that in last year Montenegro temporarily closed one negotiation chapters and opened two of them.
“In 2017, we have temporarily closed chapter 30 External Relations, which, among other things, concerns the EU’s common trade policy that Montenegro will fully take with its membership in the Union. By joining the EU, Montenegrin companies will operate in the common internal market, without customs duties and other import restrictions, which is particularly important considering that the EU is one of Montenegro’s most important trading partners,” said Scepanovic.
In addition to closing this, Montenegro has opened two negotiating chapters, which directly concern the economy: Chapter 1 – Free movement of goods and Chapter 3 Right of establishment and freedom to provide services.
“Montenegro’s goal under Chapter 1 is to remove technical barriers to trade through the aligning national legislation with EU regulations, as well as to prepare for integration into the Union’s common market. Compliance with the acquis within Chapter 3 will contribute to the opening of borders of EU member states for the provision of services for all companies and entrepreneurs, equality in acquired educational certificates for regulated professions, as well as increasing mobility and participation in the EU labour market,” Scepanovic explained.
