Application of the revised enlargement methodology to the accession negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia

Summary:

The application of a revised enlargement methodology to the accession negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia was agreed by the Council of the European Union on 6 May 2021.

Further information:

The European Commission adopted in February 2020 a Communication reviewing the accession methodology ahead of future enlargement negotiations with countries in the Western Balkans region. This document was endorsed by the Council of the European Union in the following month. The review aimed at the reinvigoration of the access process by making it more predictable, more credible, more dynamic and subject to stronger political steering.

Access negotiations started with Montenegro in 2012 and with Serbia in January 2014. Both candidate countries expressed their acceptance of the revised methodology. The changes are to be accommodate within the existing negotiating frameworks with the two countries during the next Intergovernmental Conferences.

Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 11/05/2021: Enlargement: new enlargement methodology will be applied to Montenegro and Serbia https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/11/enlargement-new-enlargement-methodology-will-be-applied-to-montenegro-and-serbia/

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