Montenegro is poised to provisionally finalize negotiations on Chapter 8 concerning competition policy and Chapter 29 related to the customs union during an accession conference set for July 14, 2026. This achievement would increase the total number of chapters provisionally closed from 16 to 18 out of a total of 33.
The competition policy chapter holds significant implications for state aid, public enterprises, concession frameworks, and the management of substantial infrastructure initiatives. Meanwhile, the customs union chapter pertains to trade processes, border management systems, and alignment with the EU customs regulations.
While closing these chapters does not eliminate execution risks, it does enhance the investment landscape by improving legal predictability, reinforcing state-aid compliance, and facilitating future access to the EU single market.
