Montenegro and Albania have made new progress in EU membership talks. Both countries closed more negotiating chapters during meetings with European Union officials on October 12 and 13.
The EU confirmed the results on Tuesday, October 13. The meetings also included Ukraine and Moldova, which moved forward in their own membership talks.
The latest decisions mark another step in the EU enlargement process.
Montenegro Closes Three More EU Chapters
Montenegro closed negotiations on three additional chapters.
These cover economic and monetary policy, statistics, and social policy and employment.
The country has now provisionally closed 21 of its 33 negotiating chapters.
Montenegro has opened all 33 chapters, making it one of the most advanced EU membership candidates in the Western Balkans.
However, closing a chapter does not mean the country has completed its EU membership process.
Montenegro must continue meeting EU requirements before it can join the bloc.
Albania Advances in EU Membership Talks
Albania also made progress during its meeting with EU officials on October 13.
The country provisionally closed Chapter 20, which covers enterprise and industrial policy.
Albania has now closed four of its 33 negotiating chapters.
Like Montenegro, Albania has opened negotiations on all 33 chapters.
The latest meetings show that both countries continue to advance through the EU accession process.
Ukraine and Moldova also took new steps in their membership negotiations during the same period.
The European Union will continue reviewing each candidate’s progress before making further decisions.
