Montenegro’s progress in the areas of internal market and competition noted

In the upcoming period, Montenegro will implement carefully economic measures in order to relieve the consequences of the epidemic, Montenegro stated at the 11th meeting of the Sub-committee on internal market and competition between Montenegro and the European Commission. It was assessed that the country has continued to make progress in areas covered by this Sub-committee.

Deputy Chief Negotiator Marko Mrdak said that in chapters covered by this Sub-committee (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 28) has been done a lot, adding that our authorities are intensively working to incorporate the benefits and quality of the EU internal market into Montenegrin system.

“For some of these chapters Montenegro believes to be very close to reaching the internal readiness for their temporary closure. This is the additional cause that keeps our side strongly dedicated to implementing all recommendations and guidelines from your side”, he noted.

According to Mr. Mrdak, following the findings of the last Non Paper for the rule of law presented last week, Montenegro is confident that all conditions are satisfied for further opening of the last remaining chapter in our negotiation process.

“Keeping in mind that considerable results were achieved and many reforms undertaken, we strongly believe that we will, in the near future, receive support from the remaining Member States for the opening of the Chapter 8 – Competition”, he added.

Deputy Head of the Montenegro Unit at DG NEAR, Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission, Barbara Jesus-Gimeno, said that Member States are currently discussing the opening of chapter 8.

She said that the Agency for the protection of competition has played an increasing role in the reporting period, and that the European Commission expects this positive trend to continue. She stressed the progress in the areas of public procurement, intellectual property rights, as well as on alignment of the copyright law, while the issue of state funding to Montenegro Airlines still remains a challenge, for which the Agency for the protection of competition’s opinion, based on information provided by the authorities, is expected.

“On consumer and health protection, let me note Montenegro’s successful record in managing the COVID-19 crisis. The framework to support the economy recovery in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak needs careful implementation now”, Ms. Jesus-Gimeno noted.

Participants of the virtual Sub-committee meeting discussed progress made and challenges ahead in the areas of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services, public procurement, pany law, intellectual property rights, competition, consumer and health protection, capital movement and payment systems, banking, insurance and other financial services