Montenegro provisionally closed three more negotiating chapters in its accession talks with the European Union, bringing the total number of provisionally closed chapters to 21, officials announced Monday evening.

The chapters, covering economic and monetary policy, statistics, and social policy and employment, were closed during an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said on US social media company X that the three chapters represent key pillars of European integration: responsible economic governance, reliable policymaking and social progress.

Thanking the European Commission and all 27 EU member states, Spajic congratulated the heads and members of the working groups involved in the negotiations.

“At this point, the government of Montenegro has fulfilled literally all obligations within its competence required for the final phase of negotiations,” he said.

Spajic expressed confidence that the necessary political consensus and compromise would be reached at other levels to bring the accession process to a successful conclusion.

“We continue to move forward decisively with our European partners toward Montenegro’s full EU membership in 2028,” he added.

EU urges further reforms EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos welcomed the progress, saying reforms under the three chapters would contribute to price stability, provide governments with reliable data for better decision-making and strengthen workers’ rights and workplace safety.

Kos noted that nearly two-thirds of all negotiating chapters have now been closed, describing the finish line as within reach. She urged political parties in both the government and opposition to put the interests of Montenegrin citizens first, work together and implement the remaining reforms without delay.

Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic also welcomed the development, describing it as an important step toward strengthening the country’s economic system, improving statistical capacities and developing labor market and social policies.

“Every closed chapter represents a concrete result of our work, but also an additional responsibility to continue decisively and with dedication to fulfill all remaining obligations on the European agenda,” Ibrahimovic said.

He noted that the latest progress followed a successful Berlin Process ministerial meeting in Przno, where participants expressed strong support for the European future of the Western Balkans, particularly Montenegro’s accession efforts.

Ibrahimovic thanked EU member states, fellow foreign ministers and Commissioner Kos for their continued support.

He reaffirmed Montenegro’s commitment to completing accession negotiations and becoming a full member of the EU, saying the closure of three additional chapters demonstrated that the country’s European future was being built through concrete results.

Montenegro is widely regarded as the frontrunner for EU membership among Western Balkan candidate countries, having made the most progress in accession negotiations and aiming to join the bloc by 2028.

Montenegro declared independence from its state union with Serbia on June 3, 2006, following a referendum held on May 21 in which 55.5% of voters supported independence.

The Balkan country applied for EU membership in December 2008 and was granted candidate status in December 2010.

Montenegro formally launched accession negotiations with the EU in June 2012, becoming one of the frontrunners in the Western Balkans’ EU integration process.

The country joined NATO in June 2017 and has since maintained EU membership as a key foreign policy priority.

Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and, with the latest three closures, has provisionally closed 21.

The government aims to complete accession negotiations and secure full EU membership by 2028, although accession will ultimately require approval from all EU member states.